As onion prices rise, Centre readies retail intervention in Delhi-NCR
The Indian government is planning to sell subsidized onions in the Delhi-NCR region to combat rising retail prices. The initiative includes using 'Kanda Express' trains to transport stock and deploying mobile vans to ensure affordable access for consumers.
Why it matters
Food price inflation is a sensitive political issue in India, and government market interventions are a common tool to maintain price stability for essential commodities.
NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to begin selling onions at a subsidised price of Rs 35 per kg across Delhi-NCR later this week to rein in soaring retail prices. Officials said locations for the retail sale through mobile vans will be finalised over the next couple of days.Building on the success of similar interventions in previous years, the Centre on Monday started operation of ‘Kanda Express’ trains to transport onions from Nashik in Maharashtra to key consumption centres -- Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, Madurai and Guwahati.“The first priority is to offload bulk onions at major mandis to cool wholesale prices, which should eventually ease retail prices across Delhi-NCR,” a consumer affairs department official said.Govt is also planning retail market interventions at multiple locations in Delhi-NCR through mobile vans to ensure onions are available to consumers at the subsidised rate,…
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