As prices of key commodities continue to soar, amidst the falling value of the rupee, traders in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday sold onions at subsidized rates to consumers to provide relief to the common man.
As onions brought 'tears' in the eyes of the consumers because of the high prices , the traders union took the initiative of selling the vegetable at Rs. 35 per kilogram as the original market price of the commodity touched rupees 70 per kilogram.
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The union said that the sky-high prices of onion have not only affected the buyers but also have had a severe impact on sellers of the key commodity.
"The reason for this subsidy is that we want to show the Government that their efforts have failed. We, traders under the banner of trade union, are selling onions at a mere Rs. 35, whereas, the onions in Kanpur are around Rs. 60- Rs. 70 per kilogram. This is deeply affecting the budget of the common man because onions is a widely consumed vegetable. Sellers are also facing the brunt of it," said Hari Shankar, a member of the trade union.
The traders have predicted that the price of onions will rise further and have requested the Government to supply onions to people on the basis of no-profit no-loss policy.
"Buying onions has become a major issue for people. Onions are being sold at around Rs. 70 per kilogram and we poor people are not able to eat them. Kanpur's trade union is selling onion at Rs. 35 per kg and giving us some relief. We are buying them and stocking them up," said Ram Kishor, a buyer.
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Vegetable sellers said the reason for the spurt in the price of onion was due to shortage of the vegetable at the supply source.
Patchy rainfall in central and southern India at the beginning of monsoon season and heavy rainfall in July in few areas delayed sowing and affected growth of some crops, lifting prices in the vegetable markets.
However, the traders feel that shortage of onions in the market could have been averted if timely measures were taken.
Food prices, another important factor of inflation in the country, are expected to have remained stable last month, although the rising fuel costs and shortages in supply of key items suggest that there will be a pick-up in the near future.