The Delhi Government announced that the first consignment of onions, procured by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India ltd (NAFED) from Maharashtra, to meet the requirements of Delhi has reached the city on Monday. Onions will be sold through 380 Safal
outlets in Delhi. SS Yadav, Commissioner of Food and Supplies, informed that in view of the reports of rising prices of onions in the Capital, the lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had decided to substantially improve the availability of onions and potatoes. The l-G had directed NAFED to procure onions from Maharashtra for sale through Safal outlets. He had also asked Safal to double the sale of onion and potatoes from 60 MT to 120 MT per day.
Yadav informed that the Government has provided necessary funds to NAFED for the procurement of onions. A team of officers from Safal and the Delhi Government is in Nashik district to oversee the procurement and to ensure the quality of onions procured. “The prices of onion and potatoes are stable. Onions were sold at Safal outlets at Rs 20.90 per kilo while potatoes were sold at Rs 24.50 per kilo. However, price of both the items in other retail outlets across the city, has not witnessed any change. There is also no shortfall in the arrival of onions and potatoes and current consignments are more than the requirement of the city,” he said.
He further informed that the l-G has directed the Food & Supply Department and Department of Agriculture to keep a very close watch on the arrival and prices of onions and potatoes and other essential commodities in the city. l-G further directed that the raids and enforcement action against the hoarders and black marketeers of these essential commodities be continued and any person found indulging in hoarding and cheating consumers will not be spared. He also directed that the raids and enforcement action against the hoarders and black marketeers of these essential commodities should continue.
Development Commissioner Puneet Goel said that following l-G’s directions, the traders of the three mandis in Delhi —(APMC) Azadpur, Keshopur and Shahdara (Gazipur) — have started selling onions and potatoes at subsidised prices through 30 mobile vans in different parts of the city from June 20.
Delhi Government has also decided to allow farmers to sell fruits and vegetables directly to consumers. The Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board (DAMB) has brought out an amendment in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act seeking to end the regulation of marketing of fruits and vegetables in three mandis — Azadpur, Keshopur and Shahdara.
Suggestions and objections from public have been sought within 45 days before issuing gazette notification. There are 68 items of vegetables and 50 of fruits in the list that would be denotified from mandis.