Onion Prices Increase to Rs 70 Per g, Odisha Asks NAFED to Intervene

Bhubaneswar: With onion prices reaching Rs 70 per kg in market, Odisha government Wednesday said it has asked National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) to sell vegetable at rate of Rs 30 per kg in state.

State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patra attributed price rise to market situation at Nasik in Maharashtra from where onions are procured.

He said base price of onions remained at Rs 45 per kg in Nasik.

"Onions are not produced in Odisha and hence, state is dependent on or states. Prices of onion and garlic are high outside state and it has contributed to price rise here. We have asked (NAFED) to sell onions at Rs 30 per kg in Odisha," minister told reporters.

According to trers, Odisha imports onions from Nashik in Maharashtra and Kurnool in Andhra Presh. Kharif crop in both regions suffered due to rains during September.

While price of good quality old onions brought from Nashik has soared to Rs 70 per kg, those from Kurnool (new but medium quality onions) are available at Rs 40-Rs 55, depending on quality. price of onions in retail market was Rs 50 a kg a week ago, trers said.

price of garlic has also increased to Rs 400 per kg in retail market in state.

Odisha Byabsayee Mahasangha General Secretary Sudhakar Panda said that prices might come down in next four to six days with supply of new onions in market.

To a question, minister said new ration cards will be provided to people in New Year as e-KYC verification process will be completed in November.

He said at least 16 lakh ineligible beneficiaries have been identified.