Delhi LG announces steps to check onion, potato prices

Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Wednesday held a meeting of officials to review the prices of onions and potatoes in the capital, and announced a slew of measures to be taken to keep check on prices of the two vegetables.

An official statement said the Lt. Governor took stock of the current wholesale and retail prices of onions and potatoes in Delhi and was assured by officials that there is no significant increase.

However, to stem any likelihood of price-rise, Jung issued an order to NAFED (the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.) to purchase onions on behalf of the Delhi government.

NAFED is also exploring buying potatoes for the government. Jung will review the situation Thursday.

All Safal outlets across Delhi have, meanwhile, been instructed to double the stock and sale of onions and potatoes.

They would stock and sell approximately 120 tonnes of onions and potatoes through their 380 retail outlets all across Delhi as soon as the stock is made available to them.

In addition, the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board has been instructed to set up 60 to 70 mobile vans all across Delhi, where sale of onions and potatoes at government determined rates will take place.

Delhi Police have been instructed to aid the government in clamping down on hoarders.

Potato prices jumped up 19 percent in May while onion prices rose because of a strike in Nashik, one of the country's biggest onion growing regions and wholesale markets.