Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 18: The onion crisis continues to bring tears to the consumer as its price has soared three-fold within three months.
The kitchen staple which registered a 200 per cent price rise is now being sold at `60 a kilogram against its June price of Rs 20. The government’s alleged apathy to regulate market price has added to woes of the consumers.
The traders have been taking advantage of the prevailing situation although the bulb price in August had touched Rs 50. The state government has decided to sell onion at fair price shops to provide respite to consumers from unscrupulous traders.
During a meeting of traders the state government had directed the traders’ association not to provide onion to any trader without receipt and suggested them to sell onions with a profit margin of not more than Rs 4 per kilo.
However, the ground realities stand different.
The wholesale price of onion is Rs 5000 per quintal and the retail price `55 per kilo in Bhubaneswar. However, the commodity is being sold at `60 in many retail stores in violation of the food department order.
Earlier, the Food Supply and Consumer welfare secretary had stated that all collectors had been asked to tighten the enforcement system and initiate action under Orissa Declaration of Stock and Price of Essential Commodities Order -1973 and Orissa Potato and Onion (Storage Control) order – 2015.
However, an official of the department said inadequate staff at the ground level has led to improper execution of the orders.
Sources at Aiginia, a major mandi for onion and patoto, said shortage of onion and soaring of its price at the source market has led to escalation of prices in the state.
Meanwhile, traders in the city said onion from Maharashtra and Karnataka will arrive by September-end and November-end respectively which will help in reducing the market price.