Onion situation improving

NEW DELHI: Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs,  C. Viswanath reviewed availability and prices of Onions and Pulses here on Thursday in a meeting with officers from Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Government of Delhi. Senior officials from SFAC, NAFED and Mother Dairy were also present in the meeting.

It was informed by Agriculture Department that though production has been slightly less in Maharashtra, it has increased in Madhya Pradesh and the production this year is likely to be the same as last year.

Arrivals in Lasalgaon and Pimpulgaon have been increasing and the whole sale prices at Lasalgaon has come down to Rs.4800/- per quintal.

Fresh onion stocks are coming to Delhi also from Karnataka, and because of this whole sale price in Delhi has come down to Rs 4100/- per quintal.

Onions are being sold at 390 shops of SAFAL at Rs.38/- per kg. in National Capital Region, at 120 outlets of DMS at Rs.35/- per kg. and at Rs.30/- per kg. at 280 Fair Price Shops in Delhi. Tenders for import of Onions are being finalized today in the PSFMC.

It was also informed that joint teams of Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Consumer Affairs are regularly inspecting all the outlets to ensure availability of Onions.

Regarding Pulses, Secretary, Consumer Affairs has already addressed Chief Secretaries of all States and Secretaries (Agriculture) and Food & Civil Supplies regarding the import of Tur Dal at provisional price of Rs.79/- per kg. and of Urad Dal at provisional price of Rs.85/- per kg. A subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. from PSFMC on Tur Dal has also been recommended by PSFMC. As a follow-up, Secretary, Consumer Affairs would be holding video conference with States to ascertain their requirements, based on which States could lift stocks of Tur Dal. Tur Dal would be arriving on 6th September, 2015 onwards.