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Even as persistently high onion prices have prompted the central government to import it, there is no immediate relief for the consumer. Prices remain high even after a fortnight of the announcement of import from Pakistan, Iran and China.
At the Lasalgaon market, Asia's largest for the commodity, in Maharashtra's Nashik district, prices are around Rs 3,400 a quintal, about Rs 200 a qtl more than on August 20. The central government decided on August 14 to import onions; at the time, it was as high as Rs 4,700 a qtl. "It will take at least a week more to reflect its impact on the market. Prices continue to stay high at major onion markets," said a trader from Nashik. Lasalgaon expects fresh supply from South India and other parts of Maharashtra but not on a big scale before September 15.
In other markets, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi, prices are Rs 3,800-4,300 a qtl. Daily arrivals are thin, between 700 and 5,000 qtls.
"We reflect prices at the Lasalgaon market. But there are no indications of a fall in prices there. So, at other markets, too, prices will remain high," said a wholesaler at Ahmedabad's Chimanbhai Patel market. In the retail market, prices are Rs 60-70 a kg in Ahmedabad; in Delhi, they're again at Rs 80 a kg.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India had issued tenders for import, asking those interested to send proposals by this Tuesday. The plan is to import about 300,000 tonnes (from Pakistan, China, Iran and Egypt) but these would start only a week after the finalisation of the parties. Hence, traders see no likelihood of prices coming down before September 10.
High court intervenes
PTI adds: With onion prices soaring, the Delhi high court on Thursday asked the Centre and Delhi government to take steps to ensure prices of kitchen staple are brought down so that common people do not suffer. The high court hearing a PIL filed by a social worker, Poonam Jain, alleging inaction of the governments in controlling the onion price, said, "...Steps to be taken by the Delhi government and Centre to ensure that the onion price issue will be addressed so that common people should not suffer."
