Most of the Northern part of India is covered under smog due to the rising levels of pollution. People have been wearing masks to combat pollution and constantly twitching their eyes when they're outdoors. It seems pollution is not the only thing that is bringing tears to our eyes. In the past few days, the supply of onions has taken a hit and the prices have sky-rocketed.
In order to curb the rising onion prices which is hovering around Rs 80/kg, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said the government will act as a facilitator for onion imports to ease the process and ensure a quick and healthy supply from other countries.
The decision to facilitate import of onions indicates inadequate domestic availability as the government has been trying to boost supply from Maharashtra and other states. The government has been reviewing prices of essential commodities like onions in the festival season.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) has been directed to supply the maximum possible quantities to the Delhi government, Mother Dairy and Safal for retailing.
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Two Inter Ministerial teams are to be dispatched on Wednesday and Thursday to Karnataka and Rajasthan to take stock of the onion supplies and encourage the supplies to consuming regions including Delhi-NCR.
The Rajasthan government has already assured quick movement of onions post harvesting to augment supplies. Harvesting has already commenced in some areas.
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The Delhi Government has been advised to depute officials to the inter ministerial team going to Karnataka and Rajasthan. They should also discourage traders from profiteering and speculative pricing, the Ministry said.