Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The shortage of onion and its availability at higher prices in the market, figured in the Rajya Sabha today.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, some members wanted to know the steps taken by the government.
Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Danve Raosaheb Dadarao said, the government is taking every step including import of onion to meet the demand.
He attributed the shortage of the onion to late rains followed by heavy rainfall in the country, particularly in Nashik in Maharashtra.
Several steps such as creation of onion buffer of about 57,373 MT during Rabi 2019, withdrawal of incentive on export of onions under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) w.e.f. 11.06.2019, imposition of Minimum Export Price (MEP) of $850/MT on 13.9.19 and subsequent ban on exports of onions since 29.09.19, facilitation of import by private traders, imposition of stock limit on onion traders, approval for import/procurement of 1.2 lakh MT of onion etc., have been taken by Government to curb price rise.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Rajya Sabha today.