Govt assures onion prices will come down in 15-20 days

Giving a message of hope to consumers, government on Saturday said onion prices will come down in the next 15-20 days with the arrival of new crops from various southern states.

‘The prices of onion will come down in 15-20 days. New produce will come into markets from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,’ food and consumer affairs minister KV Thomas said, replying to a short-duration discussion on the abnormal rise in the prices of onion and other essential commodities.

Admitting that onion price normally goes up during the July-October lean period, he said during the Rabi season of March-June, 60 per cent of the country’s total onion is produced.

The rest is produced during the Kharif season of October-December and late Kharif season of January-March period.

Thomas said in discussion with states, effective steps are taken each year to tide over the gap between the demand and supply. Admitting that hoarding takes place, he said states including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and UP have arrested such unscrupulous traders under the the Essential Commodities Act.

Naresh Agrawal (SP) had demanded a discussion on the high onion price issue.