Expressing concern over the increasing onion price in the market, Food, PDS and Consumer Affairs Minister Saryu Roy has warned the representatives of Bazaar Samiti that his department will be compelled to interfere if the difference between its wholesale and retail price exceeds over Rs 7 per kg.
Holding a meeting with Bajaar Samiti representatives at his office at Project Building in Ranchi, Roy said that the Public Distribution Shops all over the State or the agencies interested to cooperate with the Government might be roped in to tackle the increasing price rise.
“The Department has a stabilization fund of Rs 50 crore which could be utilized to deal with the increasing price rise of onions. The PDS shops or some other interested agencies could be roped in to provide onions on a reasonable price,” said Roy.
There should not be a difference of more than Rs 7 between the wholesale and retail price of onions, otherwise the department will be compelled to interfere, he added.
Roy said that his department was committed to provide agricultural items in the Bazaar Samiti and open market to the people in accordance to the prices in the wholesale market and the motive behind the meeting was to mobilize the administrative system in this regard.
Earlier, the representatives of Bazaar Samiti informed the minister that despite a drop in the wholesale price, there has not been a remarkable drop in the retail price of onion.
“Despite a drop in the price from Rs 4200 to Rs 3500 per quintal in the wholesale market, the retails price still remain Rs 5000 per quintal,” they informed the minister.
They also said that due to heavy rains in Mumbai, there has also been a remarkable inflow of onions creating a crisis of onions in the State.
Bazaar Samiti Representatives said that the situation now was under control and they will be able to overcome it very soon.
The minister also directed the representatives of Bazaar Samiti to minimize their profit margin in the interest of the common man.