Onion is bringing tears to the eyes of citizens as the rates in the retail market have reached Rs 80 per kg. Prices have doubled in a week.

To provide relief from this inflation, the National Co-operative Consumer Federation of India (NCCF) is now selling onions in vehicles at Rs 25 per kg.

Onions were sold in many areas of Bhopal on Tuesday. As soon as a vehicle loaded with 10 quintals of onions reached Ashoka Garden intersection at 5 pm, a crowd of people gathered to buy cheap onions.

From women, children to elderly people stood in the queue, 2 kg onion per person was being given at the rate of Rs 25 per kg. As soon as the news of availability of cheap onions was received, people from nearby areas also arrived and stood in line. The entire vehicle was emptied in less than 2 hours.

NCCF has set up stalls for cheap onions at places like Board Office Square, near Satpura Bhawan, Barkheda Basti etc. Onions are being transported here in trucks. However, its timing is not fixed. Cheap onions are being taken for sale anytime from morning till evening.

Resident Irfan Shaikh told that onion is available in the market at Rs 80 per kg. I also came to know about cheap onions being sold here. I have bought 2 kg of onion at the rate of Rs 25. Due to which I have made a profit of Rs 110.

Shivam Verma told that I had also come to Ashoka Garden to buy onions. Seen here, there is a crowd around the loading vehicle. On enquiry, it was found that onion was available at Rs 25 per kg. Immediately stood in line and bought onions.

NCCF Field Officer Mohammad Rashid said that to provide relief to the people in Bhopal from inflation, onions are being given at the rate of Rs 25 per kg. The government and NCCF are working to control inflation. Onions are being transported in trucks to 8 to 10 locations in the city. Cheap onions will be made available till the market rates decrease.

he wholesale price of onion in Bhopal's Karond vegetable market is Rs 55, while it is available at retail for up to Rs 80 per kg.

Mohammad Naseem, President of Karond Mandi Vegetable Traders Association, said that currently there is no arrival of onion from other states including Maharashtra. Golden variety onion is coming from nearby districts including Shajapur, Shujalpur. Good quality onion is being sold in bulk at Rs 55 per kg, medium size onion at Rs 40 to Rs 45 per kg and small variety onion at Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg. Its rates in the retail vegetable markets of the city are higher by Rs 10 to Rs 20. The price will come down only after the arrival of new onions.