Centre to facilitate onion imports to ease prices presently at Rs 80


New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS): With supplies running short and onion prices at Rs 80 a kg, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday that the government will act as a facilitator for onion imports to ease the process and ensure a quick and healthy supply from other countries.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on Tuesday as it again reviewed the prices and availability of onions.

It was decided that the Union Government will act as a facilitator for the import of onions, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said.

In this regard, the phytosanitary and fumigation requirements will be suitably liberalised to facilitate imports.

Indian missions in Afghanistan, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have been asked to facilitate supply of onions to India. This is expected to facilitate immediate import of 80 containers and diversion of 100 containers in the high seas to India.

The decision to facilitate import of onions indicates inadequate domestic availability as the government has been trying to boost supply from Maharashtra and other states. The government has been reviewing prices of essential commodities like onions in the festival season and with the Delhi political scene hotting up due to the forthcoming elections, high onion prices are known to be giant killers in elections.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) has been directed to supply the maximum possible quantities to the Delhi government, Mother Dairy and Safal for retailing. A team led by Additional MD, NAFED will go to Nashik and take stock of the situation and facilitate movement of supplies from Maharashtra to consuming regions including Delhi and adjoining areas.

Two Inter Ministerial teams are to be dispatched on Wednesday and Thursday to Karnataka and Rajasthan to take stock of the onion supplies and encourage the supplies to consuming regions including Delhi-NCR.

The Rajasthan government has already assured quick movement of onions post harvesting to augment supplies. Harvesting has already commenced in some areas.

The Delhi Government has been advised to depute officials to the inter ministerial team going to Karnataka and Rajasthan. They were also advised to hold meetings with traders and encourage them to pick up available supplies in the region. They should also discourage traders from profiteering and speculative pricing, the Ministry said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    No onion, no pakode

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Viswanath S., Mangalore

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    A Big Lie ! This Govt. was sleeping for more than 3 months. This Govt. is not worried about Poor and Middle class people. This Govt. is mother of all Lies !

    15 days back Ram Vilas Paswan assured that people need not worry, we have enough stock o f Onion.
    What happened to these stocks ? Is it not a lie to fool people ? Any action taken against hoarders ?

    It is Govt.'s duty to import Onion or any daily used necessities of life immediately when there is short supply.

    It is difficult to believe that govt. will import Onions even now !!!!!

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • PenMightierThanTheSword!, Mangalore

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Modi and Shah will end up importing onions from China!

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Where there is a Will there is a Way.
    Next ban beef export or import beef to cater to beef eaters.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • kavi, vittal/Dubai

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Central Govt. must buy Onion at higher rate from farmers and ration to people at cheap rate. In this way they can help the farmers and also utilize tax revenue for this.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, Mangalore

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Please do not bring onion from Pakistan.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dsouza, Mudarangadi/udupi

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Farmers friendly government, helping farmers not to show much interest in farming, helping them to take rest by importing farm products from outside. Congrats voters!!

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Imtiaz Ahmed, Mangalore

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Ban export of onions then prices will come down.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • VISHUKIRAN FERNANDES, Kalasa

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Onion is making me cry while cutting as well as while buying.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta

    Wed, Nov 06 2019

    Onions are available at Rs. 30.50 in Pakistan ...

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • JL, Mangaluru Smart City

    Tue, Nov 05 2019

    Govt is talking about doubling exports to reach "5 trillions". Now started importing.!!??... Mota bhai samaj me nahee a rahe hai...

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Tue, Nov 05 2019

    this seems to be conspiracy against non-vegetarians...Jains and Gujarathis / business community do not consume onions much...onions are essential for non-vegetarian cooking...

    Banias making hay while non-vegetarians suffer...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta

    Tue, Nov 05 2019

    Pakistan is the largest exporter of Onions ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • MM, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 05 2019

    Everywhere hahakaar. No jobs nor basic supplies. This govt left no option but forced to turn a common man to find illegal ways for his bread and butter.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse


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