Odisha forms team to check distress onion sale

In order to check distress sale of onion, the Odisha government on Wednesday formed a three-member team to take stock of the situation and suggest remedial measures.

The team consisting of officials of the State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd (MARKFED) and the departments of Food Supplies and Horticulture will visit Kalahandi and Balangir districts to take stock of the distress sale of onion, said Food Supplies and Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro.

"The team has been asked to submit a detailed report by May 27. The government will decide on its next course of action on the issue based on the report of the team," said the Minister after taking a review meeting here.

The meeting was attended by the secretaries of Agriculture Department, Food and Supplies Department and members of Odisha traders' union.

With the central government apprehending the onion production may decrease by six per cent this year, Patro said the government would take steps to ensure that consumers are not affected following the increase of price of the perishable products in future.

Sudhakar Panda, General Secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, said the state government was requested to create sufficient storage facilities to keep adequate onion in advance so that the stocks can be released to check price rise.

--IANS

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