Amid rising onion prices, the Centre has announced that it will sell onions at Rs 35 per kilogram through government-run retail outlets, providing consumers an alternative to onions being sold at higher market prices.
The subsidised onions will be sold through NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar stores as part of the government’s efforts to contain the impact of rising onion prices.
The Centre is also stepping up the movement of onions through the Kanda Express. Around 800 metric tonnes of onions are being brought to Delhi, with the stock to be sold to consumers at Rs 35 per kg.
will initially transport onion supplies to Chennai, Ernakulam, Madurai and Guwahati.
A second consignment will subsequently move towards Delhi and other parts of north India.
The rail-based movement is aimed at transporting large quantities of onions from producing regions to major consumption centres and increasing availability in markets where prices have been rising.
The government-supplied onions will be sold at Rs 35 per kg through outlets operated by NAFED, NCCF, and Kendriya Bhandar.
The move is intended to provide direct relief to consumers facing higher onion prices in the open market.
The Centre has been using its onion buffer stocks to intervene in the market when prices rise.
The latest decision combines two measures: moving larger quantities of onions to major consumption centres through the Kanda Express and selling the government-supplied stock at a fixed rate of Rs 35 per kg through government retail outlets.
The first Kanda Express consignments will head to Chennai, Ernakulam, Madurai and Guwahati, while the second consignment will bring supplies to Delhi and other parts of north India.
Around 800 metric tonnes of onions are expected to be brought to Delhi through the Kanda Express.
These onions will be made available to consumers at Rs 35 per kg through NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar stores.
The move comes as the government seeks to increase onion availability in key markets and provide consumers with lower-priced supplies.
The Centre had earlier maintained that overall onion availability remained comfortable and that adequate stocks were available to meet domestic demand. The government can use these stocks for market intervention when prices come under pressure.