Rupsa: Onion peeling or chopping is no longer bringing tears to the eyes. Instead it is the skyrocketing onion prices, which is actually brings tears. Onion has become dearer, with the cost of a kilogram hovering between Rs 55 and Rs 60.
Reportedly, onion prices have gone up drastically across Balasore district compounding woes of the consumers who have alleged that the government has not taken any preventive steps.
No doubt, the consumers are feeling the pinch after the price of onions went up to Rs 30-40 per kilogram within a week from Rs 20-25/kilogram. They were apprehensive of a further price rise in the near future and that is exactly what has happened. Onion bought for Rs 30/kg a week back is now being sold at Rs 60/kg. Hence either the consumption has gone down or some people have stopped buying it all together. But then life without onions – at times it is ‘eek’.
Most of the poor families who depend upon rice, potato and onion for their daily food intake, now refuse to buy the bulb as the tear-jerker empties their pockets. A home-maker said Monday she has to think twice before using onion while preparing food, in view of the present prices.
The traders, on the other hand, attributed the price hike to non-availability of fresh stocks in the market. Sources said that Odisha is dependent on onions from Nashik in Maharashtra. Some supplies also do come in from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. However, with both Karnataka and Andhra Radesh being hit hard by floods this year, supply from these two states have dwindled considerably. Hence the prices have increased manifold.
Kailash a social worker of Rupsa said, as there is no regulation imposed on traders and hence they are having a field day. However, the traders opined that if the government facilitates sale of onion at the model fair-price (Maitree) shops, consumers can avail onions at mandi-price.
PNN