No relief from onion tears before Diwali

BHUBANESWAR: Onion price witnessed a sharp surge in the Capital City and hit the highest mark in the season due to short supply from the source States. If market sources are to be believed, the commodity that was priced between `32 and `35 a kilo in the retail market on Tuesday is unlikely to come down before Diwali. A week ago, the tuber was being sold at `20 to `22 a kg.

The essential commodity is going beyond the reach of consumers after witnessing a downward trend for nearly a month due to crackdown on hoarders. Its price has increased at least 60 per cent in the last few days. Traders, however, attributed the price rise to ongoing strike by truckers and rain in producing States like Karnataka and Maharashtra.

General secretary of Byabasayee Mahasangha Sudhakar Panda said the wholesale price of onion has risen from  `1800 to `2800 per quintal. “As there is a huge gap between the demand and supply, the retial price is bound to increase,” he said.

Panda informed that Odisha is not getting the commodity from Nashik, Bengaluru and Tadepalligudem (Andhra Pradesh) as per demand. While untimely rain damaged the crop in Karnataka, Nashik region was hit by flood.

“Strike by truck operators demanding inclusion of GST on diesel also compounded the problem. The crisis will continue till the arrival of new crop in November first week,” Panda added.Meanwhile, the State Government has warned the traders not to go for hoarding. Food and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro said the officials have been asked to keep a close watch on hoarders and black-marketers.