Govt. has failed to control onion price hike: Congress

Congress leader Anand Sharma on Monday described the government as a complete failure in failing to control the rise in prices.

"The government has been a complete failure in this. Commercial Ministry, Agricultural Ministry and Consumers Affairs Ministry used to look after matters related to onions. Now only government has the reply to this situation," Sharma told ANI here.

"Earlier onions were not exported from June, and we used to continuously increase the minimum export price. We used to be prepared for import if we saw any such kind of situations," he added.

Sharma said this late decision about increasing the minimum export price by the government will lead to an illegal accumulation of funds and bounce in price in international market.

"This decision has been taken only 72 hours before and this will take some time. This will lead to an illegal accumulation of funds and there will be a bounce in price in international market as well," he said.

The Centre has drawn flak from all major political parties for the sharp rise in onion prices in recent times.

A Consumer Affairs and Food Ministry release said it is keeping a close watch on the rise in the price of onions.

It said the price of onions has been rising on account of a decline in total production from around 194 lakh tons in 2013-14 to 189 lakh tons in 2014-15 due to adverse weather conditions.