AMN / NEW DELHI
Centre on Wednesday expressed its helplessness in controlling the rising prices of onions, which crossed Rs 60 per kg this week in many parts of the country.
Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the production this year was expected to be lower since the area under onion cultivation had reduced to 1.90 lakh hectares in 2017-18 from 2.65 lakh hectares in 2016-17.
“We have taken several measures, such as procurement by agencies from areas such as Nashik (Maharashtra) and Alwar (Rajasthan) where the cost is lower, as well as import of onions. But it (bringing down prices) is not in our hands,” Paswan told reporters here.
Once the supply from (late) kharif starts, prices may come down, he added.
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, the onion is still available between 28 and 35 rupees per kilogram in places like Nasik, Solapur, Alwar and Indore.
He said, the government has also initiated the process of importing onion, and NAFED and other agencies have been directed to take urgent measures to tackle the price rise.
Mr. Paswan asserted that the prices of onion will come down during ten days after the arrival of new kharif crop.
The Minister admitted that sowing has been lesser this year as compared to previous years.