Government Bans Export of Onions
Onions have become very expensive in India due to traders resorting to hoarding and excessive exporting. In order to curb the prices, the government has decided to issue a blanket ban on the export of
Onions are found in everyone’s house and is a must in most Indian dishes. Last week the price of all varieties of onions reached Rs. 70-80/kg.
People all over the country became very angry and started protesting. The increase in onion prices is because depleted onion reserves. Heavy rainfall for months and flood-like situation in onion-producing states in the country, such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, is also the reason for price hike.
With the arrival of the festive season,Onion traders have resorted to hoarding to make a profit. The Government had warned that they will take strict action against traders who do this. Earlier onions would be exported and there would be a shortage in the country. This lead to an increase in the price. On Sunday the government banned the export of onions. The have done this so that onions are not exported and are sold to Indians and the price of vegetables are controlled.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday that he would would provide onions at Rs. 23.90/kg. On Saturday, he launched 70 vans in Delhi to sell onions. The Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday encouraged state governments to buy onions from the Central Government.
