This refers to the editorial "Marketing, not hoarding" (October 1). Though onion production in 2012-13 declined only 5 per cent and storage was less by just 200,000 tonnes, market arrivals fell steeply by 20-40 per cent in June-July 2013. The National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation reported onion stocks at a healthy 800,000-900,000 lakh tonnes - sufficient to meet demand till the kharif crop reaches markets. Two months back, there were clear reports from central agencies about traders hoarding onions in Nashik and Ahmednagar. Despite all this the State/Centre has failed to control the prices of onion and this has now become an annual event. If the government refrains to take strict action against the hoarders, very soon we might even see an "Onion Security Bill" being passed in the Parliament.
Vivek George Tripunithura
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