Government reviews availability and prices of Onions A high level meeting with senior officers of Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Agriculture regarding availability and the prices of Onions was held by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution here today. He reviewed the availability, prices, import and export of onions and directed officers to take quick action to bring prices under control. Shri Paswan also wrote a letter to the Chief Ministers of the States requesting them to enforce stock limit on Onions and strengthen anti-holding drive to ensure its availability. Later, Secretary, Consumer Affairs held a meeting with officers of the Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Government of Delhi as well as representatives of SFAC, NAFED, Mother Dairy and NHRDC among others. Secretary, Consumer Affairs desired that likewise the PSFMC meeting for Onions may be called for 27th August, 2015 evening itself after opening of tenders so that quick decision can be taken on the import of Onions. MMTC representative also informed that pre-tender enquires are very encouraging. He said after the tenders are finalized, Onions could be brought by 10th September, 2015. After detailed discussion, it was decided that joint Surveillance teams of Departmental Consumer Affairs and Departmental Agriculture will inspects the centres where Onions are being distributed in Delhi to check on the quality, quantity and prices of Onions. It was decided that a core team consisting of officials of Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, MMTC, SFAC and NAFED would be video conferencing with the States, once the tenders were opened to ascertain requirements of the States and also the modalities of reaching the stocks to the States and the mechanism of retail distribution in the States. The modalities of the import of Tur Dal and Urad Dal were also discussed. Representative of Ministry of Agriculture informed that PSFMC meeting for finalizing tender for Urad Dal has been called tomorrow i.e., 25th August, 2015, While Tur Dal is already being shipped. It was also decided that review meetings will be held twice a week to take stock of the situation.
