Onion Price Hike: Government To Consider Stock Limit On Traders

The government will "wait and watch" the price situation for some time for imposing the stock limit as it is equally concerned about the interest of farmers.

File image

New Delhi: The Centre will consider imposing the stock limit on onion traders if retail prices continue to remain high even after exhausting the buffer stock, Food and Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday. The government will "wait and watch" the price situation for some time for imposing the stock limit as it is equally concerned about the interest of farmers, he said. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also assured that onion prices will calm down in the next few days as supply is being improved in the domestic market by agencies like Nafed. To give relief to consumers, central agencies Nafed and the NCCF have been selling onion from the buffer stock at Rs 22-23/kg, while Mother Dairy's Safal stores are selling at Rs 23.90 per kg in the National Capital. Trade data showed that retail prices have shot up to Rs 70-80 per kg in the Capital owing to tight supplies. A similar price trend prevails in other parts of the country.