Onion Price Hike: Government’s Plan to Provide Relief to Delhi-NCR Residents Amid Festive Season Surges
Delhi-NCR faces onion prices soaring to ₹70-80/kg. Government's relief plan includes 1,600 metric tons from Maharashtra for festive supply.
As onion prices continue to soar in Delhi-NCR, reaching ₹70-80 per kilogram, the government is stepping in to provide much-needed relief during the festive season. The spike in onion prices has significantly contributed to rising retail inflation, leading to concerns among consumers. In response, the Central Government has decided to procure onions from Nashik, Maharashtra, to bolster supplies in the Delhi-NCR region.
The National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) will facilitate the transportation of 1,600 metric tons of onions via rail, utilizing 42 BCNA wagons—equivalent to 53 trucks. This shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi by October 20, 2024. Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of using rail for transportation, which will allow for faster distribution to other regions, including Lucknow and Varanasi.
The government has also implemented a Price Stabilization Fund to purchase 4.7 lakh tons of rabi onions, which have been sold in bulk at ₹35 per kilogram since September 5, 2024. So far, 92,000 tons of onions have been dispatched from Nashik and other sourcing centers.
With this proactive approach, the government aims to ensure the availability of onions at reasonable prices across the country. Collaborations with agencies like Central Warehousing Corporation and Reliance Retail will also aid in distributing onions effectively, ensuring that consumers can access this essential commodity without facing exorbitant costs during the busy festive season.
