The Indian government is taking steps to keep onion prices affordable for consumers, especially during festive seasons. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the government has launched a special sale of onions at just Rs 24 per kilogram in major cities across the country.
Joshi explained that the government has sent out its first batch of 25 tonnes of onions, which will be available at Rs 24 per kg in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. He added, “Every year, we make sure that onions are sold at lower prices to help families during festivals.”
Currently, onion prices in many cities are above Rs 30 per kg, which can be expensive for many people. To address this, government organizations like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) have started selling onions through their outlets and mobile vans.
In addition to onions, the government has also dispatched tomatoes at a price of Rs 30 per kg, making daily essentials more affordable during the festive season. Joshi mentioned that these supplies are bought from the market and sold at controlled rates to benefit consumers.
India has a stock of around 3 lakh tonnes of onions, with about 72% of it expected to be cleared soon. The government closely monitors food prices daily, tracking 38 key commodities from 574 centers across the country. This helps decide how much stock to release and when, ensuring prices stay stable and prices like Rs 24 per kg are maintained at retail outlets.
Consumers looking for affordable onions and tomatoes can find these stocked items at government outlets, mobile vans, and stores like Kendriya Bhandar. The government’s efforts aim to keep essential food prices in check and help families enjoy festival celebrations without the worry of high grocery bills.
