Delhi government might open onion outlets

The Delhi government may open outlets for selling onions at a nominal price, a minister said Tuesday.

"We are concerned over the rising prices of onions. We may open stalls, like last year, to make available onions at reasonable rates if prices continue soaring," Delhi Development Minister Rajkumar Chauhan told reporters here.

He, however, expressed hope that the rising price trend would reverse in next 7-10 days.

"We will not leave people at the whims of hoarders and black-marketers. Neither will we hesitate in taking action against them," he added.

Chauhan blamed heavy rains for the price rise which, according to him, has affected road routes through which onion supplies arrive.

He said onion supplies has been 14 percent lower than the previous year.

At the Azadpur wholesale vegetable market in north Delhi the price of onions has reached up to Rs.32.50 per kg.