India sells 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions to curb rising prices

The Indian government has sold approximately 4,000 tonnes of buffer onion stock across 17 cities during the first ten days of a subsidised retail intervention. The initiative, led by agencies NCCF and Nafed, aims to curb skyrocketing onion prices by selling the produce at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg in price-sensitive regions.

To facilitate distribution, the government is using trucks and a dedicated rail rake known as the ‘Kanda Express’ to transport bulk consignments from producing states to consuming centres. Consignments have already reached Delhi and Chennai, with further shipments planned for Guwahati. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare noted that the distribution has provided some relief to consumers and led to a slight decrease in prices.

The intervention follows damage to the rabi onion crop caused by untimely rains during harvesting. NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra stated that the federation alone has sold 1,500 tonnes so far. The program is currently active in several states, including the Delhi-NCR region, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Odisha, with various state governments coordinating through mobile vans, cooperative societies, and local stores.