Government Launches Subsidised Onion Sale to Combat Price Surge

The government has started selling onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai to provide relief from rising prices. The initiative, managed by NCCF and NAFED, aims to stabilize food inflation and will expand to other major cities in subsequent phases.

The government commenced retail sales of onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg on Thursday, aiming to ease the financial burden on consumers in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai amid rising prices of the essential vegetable.

NCCF and NAFED, tasked with maintaining a buffer stock of 4.7 lakh tonnes of onions, are spearheading the sales through their retail outlets and mobile vans. The subsidised onions are available at 38 points in Delhi-NCR and selected Mumbai locations, and online via Kendriya Bhandar and SAFAL shops. Currently, onions are retailing at over Rs 60 per kg depending on quality and location in the national capital.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that onion sale channels will be expanded to more cities in the coming weeks, covering cities like Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Raipur. The initiative aims to control food inflation, supported by ongoing price stabilization measures. According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, the outlook for onion availability and prices is positive due to increased kharif sowing and substantial stock in storage.

(With inputs from agencies.)