Reduced to tears, govt mulls import of onions
23 Oct 2013 12:16 AM GMT
It should be noted that the Maharashtra-dominated onion lobby, led by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, has so far not allowed the ban on export of onions to control prices, which have been on a high for the past few months. The commerce minister claimed there was enough onion stock available but hoarders were not releasing it in domestic market.
‘Inflation is a matter of serious concern and it is driven by vegetable and food. We hope it is temporary, seasonal and settle down. In particular onions, we have enough onion stock in the country and the state governments must act firmly against the hoarders who are hoarding the onions which has led to the artificial scarcity and sharp escalation of prices,’ he said.
Union food and civil supplies minister Prof KV Thomas on Monday said the government was doing everything possible to bring prices down. Thomas said, ‘We are talking to Sharad Pawar. I am hearing that Maharashtra onion has not come to the market due to rains. Farmers are hoarding it expecting a much better price. We are checking with state governments.’
‘Inflation is a matter of serious concern and it is driven by vegetable and food. We hope it is temporary, seasonal and settle down. In particular onions, we have enough onion stock in the country and the state governments must act firmly against the hoarders who are hoarding the onions which has led to the artificial scarcity and sharp escalation of prices,’ he said.
Union food and civil supplies minister Prof KV Thomas on Monday said the government was doing everything possible to bring prices down. Thomas said, ‘We are talking to Sharad Pawar. I am hearing that Maharashtra onion has not come to the market due to rains. Farmers are hoarding it expecting a much better price. We are checking with state governments.’
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