Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has chaired a high-level review meeting to address potential price spikes for essential commodities like onion and sugar across the national capital.
The Delhi government has finalised a contingency plan to protect residents from market inflation, and the officials have confirmed that there is currently no shortage of onions or sugar.
It was decided at the meeting that if the retail prices rise further, the state government will procure onions and sugar directly from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
The commodities will then be distributed across various locations in the capital at cost, with the Delhi government absorbing all transport and operational expenses.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Food and Supplies Department has been directed to prepare an action plan to sell NAFED-procured onions directly to consumers through localised distribution camps.
Centre moves bulk onion stocks
Amid the intensifying crisis of onions, the Centre has started moving bulk onion stocks through dedicated railway rakes dubbed the ‘Kanda Express’.
It will be moving from Nashik to major consuming centres as part of efforts to boost supplies and curb the seasonal rise in prices.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said initially, the Centre will send onions to Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati, with more destinations to be added depending on market conditions and demand
The onion stocks currently being loaded onto the railway rakes are expected to reach their destinations by Wednesday, it said.
Prices of onions are taking a toll as the all-India average retail price of onion stood at Rs 43.53 per kg on August 24, up 59 per cent from Rs 27.37 per kg a year ago, as per the Consumer Affairs Ministry data.
The average wholesale price rose 68 per cent year-on-year to Rs 35.58 per kg.
Further, the retail prices were even higher in major cities, with onions selling at Rs 60 per kg in Chennai, Rs 55 per kg in Delhi and Rs 53 per kg in Kolkata on Monday.