As per official data, onion prices are at present stable in the range of Rs 20-30 kg in most places. Onion is availabe at Rs 30 per kg in Delhi, Rs 32 per kg in Mumbai and Rs 25 per kg in Chennai and Kolkata.
"Ministry of Agriculture has decided, in light of public concern over high prices of onion in the market, to allow derogation from the conditions of fumigation and endorsement on PSC as per the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 for onion imports up to 30th November, 2014 on the following conditions," an official stastement said.
"The consignment would be inspected thoroughly by quarantine officials and released only if found free from pests and diseases of concern to India.
An Agriculure Ministry official said that the import norms for onion have been relaxed to facilitate smooth shipment of the commodity during the period of supply crunch.
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Last month, the government had reduced the minimum export price of onion to USD 300 per tonne in view of softening of prices and increased availability of the vegetable in the domestic market.
The domestic demand during the lean period from June to November is met through stored rabi (winter) and fresh kharif (summer) produce.