West Bengal implements measures to stabilize onion and sugar prices

The West Bengal government and the central government are implementing measures to stabilize the prices of essential commodities, specifically onions and sugar, ahead of the festive and wedding seasons.

In Kolkata, the central government is releasing onion supplies from its buffer stock via the ‘Kanda Express’ rail and road transport initiative. These buffer onions are being made available at ₹35 per kg through various retail channels, including NCCF and NAFED, to counter retail prices that have recently exceeded ₹50 per kg. This intervention aims to mitigate price pressures caused by delayed seasonal crop arrivals.

Simultaneously, the West Bengal government has announced a major infrastructure overhaul for the Siliguri Regulated Market. Minister Dilip Ghosh stated that the project aims to resolve issues such as poor drainage, inadequate roads, and entry/exit difficulties. Proposed improvements include enhanced security, drinking water facilities, and the potential establishment of a cold storage facility to preserve perishable goods like oranges and pineapples.