The government asked agri-cooperative NAFED to set up more sale depots in Delhi and the national capital region region to sell onion at Rs35/kg, a move aimed to provide relief to people from high prices.
“NAFED will increase sale points in Delhi and the national capital region region to sell onion at Rs35/kg,” farm secretary PK Basu said.
NAFED, which has five stores in the capital, has also been asked to sell onion via mobile trucks and tempos, he added.
Basu said the cooperative has been told to procure onion from Maharashtra and Gujarat, where arrival has increased and prices are also low.
“Onion is available at lower rates at Rs30/kg in Maharashtra and Gujarat. So, NAFED will have no problem in selling it at Rs35/kg,” he said.
Onion prices in Delhi’s retail markets are still ruling high at Rs60/kg due to sluggish supply from producing states.
High onion price had fuelled food inflation to over 18% for the week that ended on December 25.
Last week, the government had agreed to compensate 30% of losses if NAFED suffers in the sale of onion at a cheaper rate.