Potatoes, onions to be sold in open stalls by Govt
Delhi Government will open stalls in various Government premises to sell onions and potatoes on wholesale prices to the people. Sale at 40 such premises will start from Wednesday and the number of premises will be increased to 200 in the next two weeks.
“The Government premises from where the sale is proposed include the offices of Food and Supply Officers, various offices of Development Department, office of District Magistrates, SDMs and Inquiry offices of Delhi Jal Board,” said Development Commissioner, Puneet Goel.
“On Tuesday, 1,200 MT of onions and 1,299 MT of potatoes arrived, which is much more than the daily requirement of Delhi. The arrival over the last many days has been more than the requirement of the city,” said Goel.
Goel said that the wholesale and retail prices of these essential commodities are also stable. While the wholesale prices of onions was from Rs 13 to Rs 25 per kg, the retail prices in various locations of cities has varied from Rs 16 per kg to Rs 30 per kg.
Government is keeping a close watch on the prices, he said, adding that people are also being informed of the wholesale and retail prices through advertisement in the newspapers.
Data available with the government showed that last week, the key kitchen ingredient was available for Rs 12.75 a kg in the wholesale market in Delhi. But the retail price was Rs 24, nearly twice the level. “It is quite surprising that the price doubles from the time it leaves Azadpur mandi. Middlemen seem to be charging a huge premium,” said an official.
With monsoon rains expected to be lower than normal levels, the government is monitoring the prices of 22 essential commodities with onions, potatoes, milk, pulses and non-Basmati rice coming under special focus. In Delhi, the Centre had ordered a special drive to ensure that there was adequate supply of onions and potatoes at reasonable rates.