As there was an acute shortage of onions and shallots witnessed across the country, the price of the kitchen staple shot up and onions were sold between Rs 80 and 100 while shallots were sold between Rs 110 and 140 in the retail market this week.

 In such a backdrop, Perambalur, where shallots are produced as a major crop, felt the impact of the shortage of shallots. District officials received information that shallots have been hoarded at various places to be sold during Deepavali, anticipating much higher prices.

 Based on it, officials, including the Joint Directors Fatima (Horticulture) and Karunanidhi (Agriculture) conducted surprise raids at Nattarmangalam, Chettikulam, Kurumbalur, Puthur and Mela Puliyur areas on Sunday late evening where around one ton of bellary onions hoarded in sheds were found.

 Meanwhile, officials received information that onions have been hoarded at chicken farms in Iroor area.

 The officials who raided the places found that over one ton of onions have been hoarded there too. When the official conducted an inquiry, the traders told them that the onion has been stocked for seeding. Since Perambalur district farmers cultivate only shallots, the officials grew suspicions over it. Subsequently, they seized the entire onion stocks from the farm.

 The officials said that a few traders from Tiruchy rented a few chicken farms that were closed recently and hoarded onions to sell it during Deepavali weekend.