AMN /
State-owned MMTC has invited bids for import of 10,000 tonnes of onion from countries like Pakistan, Egypt, China and Afghanistan to boost domestic supply and check prices.This is the second tender MMTC has floated.The government has started importing onions as retail prices have shot up to 80 rupees per kg across the country due to shortage of about five lakh tonnes of the key kitchen staple.
The government has taken several measures to curb price rise in onions, including hiking the export price sharply to 700 US dollars per tonne to restrict overseas sale and asking state governments including Maharashtra to take stringent action against hoarders and black marketeers.
Delhi government has started selling onions at cheaper rate at 30 rupees per kg.