Even when the prices of pulses and edible oils are already stiff, spiraling onion prices in local markets here have added to the woes of the consumers.
It may be recalled that a similar onion crisis in 1998 led to the downfall the then BJP Government in Delhi and political experts feel if the onion prices are not tamed in the State, the ruling BJD may face its fallout.
This time, reportedly large-scale floods in the onion-growing States have led to massive crop destruction with prices shooting up from Rs 20 to Rs 30 a kilo within a week in this commercial city. If urban consumers reduce their onion consumption for a few days, prices would stabilize much sooner as onions cannot be hoarded for long as they start drying and losing weight within a week, feel experts.
According to a local business man, five days before the price of onion was Rs 2,200 per quintal at Nasik, where as the price suddenly escalated to Rs 3,000 per quintal on last Friday. So also the price of onion in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh which was sold at Rs 2,300, suddenly increased to Rs 2,700 per quintal. The price of onion in Karnataka increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,800 per quintal, making the escalation a national phenomenon, he pointed out. Within a week, the price increased between 30-35 per cent which pinches the middle class and poor consumers.
Five days back, onion was sold in the local retail market at Rs 18-20, but since Saturday, the same rose to Rs 30 per kilo and in some places it was sold at Rs 35. Some consumers feel that the activities of the district administration and the civil supply authorities are confined to notifications and media news, but noting tangible happens on the ground to contain the onion price. Since the new crop of Nasik is expected to arrive in the first week of October, the price of onions may go further.
On the other hand, the Civil Supply authorities here claimed that they have kept a strict vigil on the market and taken steps to make surprise raids including review of stock position on day- to-day basis. If anyone creates artificial deficiency in stock, stern action would be initiated against the erring business men or hoarders, they cautioned.
According to information available, the silk city alone transacts onion of 20-22 metric tons every day, though the daily requirement of the State is estimated to be more than 300 tones. Agricultural experts feel why the State Government can’t take steps to encourage the farmers of Odisha to grow onions to attain self-sufficiency instead of depending on Maharashtra and West Bengal.