Now Reading: Centre to sell onion at Rs 35/kg in Delhi-NCR as prices spike
-
01
Centre to sell onion at Rs 35/kg in Delhi-NCR as prices spike
The Centre will start selling subsidised onions at Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR through mobile vans later this week, as retail prices have climbed to Rs 55/kg in the capital. Consumer…
The Centre will start selling subsidised onions at Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR through mobile vans later this week, as retail prices have climbed to Rs 55/kg in the capital. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the government has begun moving bulk stocks via 'Kanda Express' trains from Nashik to five major consumption centres: Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam, and Guwahati.
The all-India average retail onion price rose 59 per cent year-on-year to Rs 43.53/kg on August 24, according to ministry data. Wholesale prices were up 68 per cent. Khare blamed 'cartelisation and speculation' for the rise, noting that Nashik mandi prices were higher than Delhi's. The Congress attacked the government, with Jairam Ramesh saying inflation was 'skyrocketing' and the common man was being crushed.
The government says onion availability is comfortable, with estimated 2025-26 production of 307 lakh tonnes and a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes. Further retail interventions may be extended to other cities if needed.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Times of India and The Federal led with the government's operational response, subsidised sales and Kanda Express, framing it as a proactive price-control measure. Hindustan Times balanced the official account with Congress's sharp criticism and the 59 per cent price spike data in its lead. The Federal and ToI omitted the political attack entirely, while HT gave it equal weight. All sources agree on the core facts. The difference is emphasis: the government's solution versus the opposition's charge. The consumer affairs secretary's own mention of cartelisation suggests the price rise has structural causes beyond seasonal trends.
Next step: the government will finalise mobile van locations in Delhi-NCR in the coming days and may extend the intervention to other cities.
Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
Sources (3): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report), thefederal.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
