Delhi urges Centre for 5 trucks of onion daily to curb rates

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Delhi government on Tuesday said it had requested the Centre to supply five trucks of onion a day to deal with increasing prices and to retail it at the subsidised rate of Rs 23.90 per kg from 390 fair price shops and 80 mobile vans.

However, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said the Centre was providing onion at Rs 22 a kg and some people were trying to "fool the public".

Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the rising onion prices and steps for its procurement and distribution at affordable prices.

Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, also the Chairman of Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee (PSFMC) that was set up by the Delhi government to suggest market intervention for checking prices of essential commodities, informed the meeting that significant steps had been taken to deal with the situation.

The government has floated a short-term tender for shortlisting transporters for transporting onion from Nafed godowns to fair price shops and for sale through mobile vans. "The tender is likely to be finalised by October 4," the government said in a statement.

The Chief Secretary, however, stressed selection of transporters must be completed the earliest and onion sale must be started by Saturday.

Hussain said there was no need for panic "since the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure regular supply and availability of onion at affordable rates. The government will also take strict action against hoarders and profiteers."

However, Delhi BJP chief accused the Delhi government of copying the Centre's scheme of giving subsidy. "Even when the Centre is selling onion at Rs 22, some people say they will provide onion at Rs 24 and will take Rs 2 per kg as profit," Tiwari remarked.