Bhubaneswar, Dec 2 (IANS): The Congress' Odisha unit on Monday began selling onions from the party office here at Rs 40 per kg to protest the sky-rocketing price rise of the staple vegetable which has gone up to Rs 100 per kg in several places in the state.

Heavy rush was witnessed at the Master Canteen Square near the Congress Bhawan as consumers thronged to buy onions at the cheaper rate. However, the sale was limited to 250 grams per persons.

"The poor are suffering due to the skyrocketing price of onion in the state. The BJP government at the Centre and the BJD government in the state are responsible for the price rise," said party's Bhubaneswar District President, Manas Choudhury.

State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, meanwhile, assured that the price of onion will come down by the end of the month.

"Adequate onion stock could not be transported to Odisha market as the cultivation got affected due to rain. However, the price of Onion will come down by December end," Swain said.