The Delhi Government plans to triple the number of vans selling onions at reasonable prices, to 150, from Saturday.
Worried about escalating price trends, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday directed Chief Secretary DM Spolia to take immediate short-term measures to ensure stabilisation of onion prices in the Capital. Further, he has been instructed to suggest long-term measures to prevent such seasonal fluctuation in onion prices in future.
Meanwhile, the CM said Delhi would start receiving onion from Alwar (Rajasthan) "soon" and help meet demand to curb rising prices. The Rs 70-80 per kg run is expected to soften only by next month as supplies are low at present. The rate remains Rs 50 at Delhi Government's stalls and Mother Dairy's Safal outlets.Following directions from Dikshit, Spolia also chaired a meeting to discuss other related issues. Officials said restrictions on movement of trucks and heightened checking at inter-State borders in view of Independence Day, had seriously affected onion arrivals in Delhi. The situation is expected to improve post August 15.
Meanwhile, the onion selling vans are expected to cover more localities, even as the city Government is finalising certain points where vans will be stationed throughout the day. The vans will be monitored by the Commissioner (Food & Civil Supplies) and the Delhi Agriculture Marketing Board. The Delhi Government will arrange sale on a no-profit, no-loss basis.