Published 20:39 IST, November 7th 2019
Delhi Congress workers protest rising prices wearing 'onion garlands'
Delhi Congress led by Subhash Chopra held a protest march against the AAP government over rising onion prices in the state by wearing garlands made of onions.
The Delhi Congress on Thursday protested against the Aam Aadmi Party government over rising onion prices in the state. Led by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief Subhash Chopra, Congress workers marched from the DPCC office to the Delhi Secretariat late afternoon wearing garlands made of onions. The retail price of onions has risen by 45% in the past week to Rs 80 per kg in the national capital. The rate stood at Rs 55 per kg on October 1, according to official data.
The protesters also clashed with police near the Delhi secretariat. Chopra was joined by Rajesh Lilothia, Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Ramesh Kumar, Mahabal Mishra, Mukesh Sharma, and other senior state Congress leaders. They demanded immediate relief to consumers.
Kejriwal knocks Centre's door
Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal government asked the Centre to provide more onions for distribution in the city. "We have demanded more onions from the Centre. A letter has been written to the Centre in this regard. The onion will be distributed in the city as soon as it is delivered to us," Chief Minister Kejriwal told reporters at an event.
Action mode
Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Wednesday held a meeting with his department officers to review the issue of "sudden and unexplained" rise in onion prices. Hussain had also directed agencies to work in coordination with each other to ensure a timely, regular and adequate supply of onion through mobile vans. The Delhi government directed officials to resume doorstep sale of onion.
Updated 21:34 IST, November 7th 2019