Odisha orders action against onion hoarders

Bhubaneswar: Following reports that some traders were resorting to unfair means to take advantage of the market situation, the state government on Sunday directed the district administration to take strict action against hoarders and black marketeers.

“It has come to our notice through media reports that some unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of the situation by hoarding onions in bulk to create artificial shortage. Earlier, we had issued instructions to district authorities to keep a close watch on hoarding and take strict action against those involved in such criminal acts,” said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.

The minister said the onion price increase is a pan-India phenomenon as there is a shortfall in production in major producing states. In view of the shortage of the commodity, the price of onion released from the buffer stock maintained by the Center has also increased. .”Onion prices will remain high until the new crop arrives, which will take 15 days to a month. Sowing of Rabi onion crop in Odisha has now started and will take time,” Nayak said.

Even though the Center has started loading onions from the buffer, targeting key markets in states including Odisha, where retail prices are significantly higher than last month, there is hardly any difference for consumers who are paying Rs.60 per kg. Buying vegetables at more than Rs. The Center has started selling onions in major markets of the state through NAFED. The agency is selling onions in the major vegetable markets of the city in the morning and evening.