In the wake of steep hike in onion prices, the West Bengal government today started selling onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 50 per kg from 49 government outlets in the city and its outskirts.
"We had no other alternative, but to take this decision after a meeting with traders yesterday," state Agriculture Marketing minister Arup Roy told PTI.
As the traders were apprehensive that prices would remain high until fresh crop reached markets, the state government resorted to this strategy to give some relief to the people, he said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier directed traders to crack down on illegal hoarders and also asked the task force to visit markets to ensure people were not charged exorbitantly.
Roy said one would be able to buy 500 gram packets of onion at the cost of Rs 25 per day from government outlets and selling of onions at subsidised rate from them would continue till prices eased.
Of the 49 outlets, 25 stalls were run by the Agriculture Marketing department, while the remaining 24 outlets would be run by the Horticulture Department.
Stating that all these outlets were in Kolkata and its adjacent Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South Parganas districts, Roy said, "Some of them are mobile units. The state government has plans to increase the number of outlets."
These outlets would also come up in sabji mandis in other districts, he said.
The minister said at present the wholesale price of onions was around Rs 60 per kg, while the retail prices were varying from Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg.
To a question, he said, "The state produces only four lakh tonnes of onion against its annual demand of 8.5 lakh tonnes."
"West Bengal earlier produced only one lakh tonne of onions, which has gone up to four lakh tonnes with special initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," he said.
"We have to depend on Maharashtra and Karnataka for the rest quantum of onion to meet our demand. Onion prices could come down only after fresh produce enters the market in early November," Roy added.
