Delhi govt to sell onions at Rs 40/kg at ration shops

The govt warns hoarders of strict action in case they indulge in illegal activity

In the backdrop of a sharply rising price of onions, the Delhi government on Tuesday announced it would sell the vegetable at Rs 40 per kg through Fair Price Shops (FPSs) at 280 locations across the city from Monday.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Asim Ahmed Khan said the government would also sell onions through mobile shops where FPS was not close to residential locations, so that the public does not face any inconvenience.

“The department of food and civil supplies had begun its preparations to counter a possible rise in prices of onions in the rainy season since April,” Khan said.

"Teams of Small Farmers Agro-Based Consortium (SFAC) were stationed at Nasik and were directed to procure and store adequate stocks of onions at hygienic cold stores," Khan told reporters here.

The minister also said that the department was monitoring the prices and has now decided to intervene given the reasonable apprehension of rise in prices of onions and the hike in wholesale and retail prices in recent days.

"The department has factored in the time it will take for receiving the stock from Nasik and for making it ready to be sold to consumers.

"Delhi government will keep a close check on the prices of other essential commodities and has warned hoarders of strict action in case they indulge in this illegal activity," he added.