NAFED has sought Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's intervention on the onion issue as the Delhi government has decided not to buy the kitchen staple from the cooperative at a cheaper rate of Rs 27.50 per kg.
NAFED said it has procured 2,500 tonnes of onion on behalf of the Central government under the Price Stablisation Fund. The stock was meant for sale in Delhi retail markets to check prices, which has risen up to Rs 50-60/kg.
However, the cooperative said that the Delhi government has refused to buy the stock from it. Instead, the state government is procuring onions at higher price of Rs 33/kg and selling to consumers at Rs 40/kg in 280 locations.
"We met the Delhi's Lt Governor and sought his intervention on the onion issue. We have asked the LG to direct the Delhi government to procure cheaper onions being offered by NAFED," NAFED Director Ashok Thakur told PTI.
The Delhi government can buy good quality onions at Rs 27.50/kg from Nafed and sell at Rs 30/kg, he added.
In the representation, NAFED urged the LG to instruct the Delhi government "to overcome the immediate threat of wastage of large stock of onion for Delhi quota" and ensure the state government arrives to a consensus on the onion purchase price.
NAFED has also urged the LG to direct the state government to "honour the dignity of constitutional bodies like that of NAFED and to work with tandem with these prestigious bodies for the welfare of the public".
"I hereby seek your immediate intervention related to the insensitivity of government of NCT Delhi towards adding on the price inflation to various commodities, especially onion. This subject is hihgly sensitive in lieu of the interest of the general mass public," NAFED said.
The cooperative has also demanded a meeting between the LG office, Delhi government and NAFED to resolve the issue.
Stating that there seems to be complete state of policy paralysis in the state, NAFED said in the letter that the Delhi government has to "overcome the attitude of arrogance".
