Despite the State Government making all efforts to provide onions at cheaper rate, State Food Corporation authorities, entrusted with the responsibility to prepare a work plan in this regard, do not seem to be very keen to act on it. In order to provide relief to the people of Jharkhand from the shooting onion prices, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy has asked SFC Managing Director Baleshwar Singh to chalk out a work plan for increasing the supply chain in the market to check the increasing prices of onions.
Ironically enough, the MD himself appears to be doubting the feasibility of any such plan as he began seeking suggestions to control the market prices when The Pioneer inquired to him measures for the purpose.
“Who will give us onions at a cheaper rate as prices in the market goes up and down according to the market price. Having maximum exposure in the society why don’t the scribes tell us what has to be done,” said the MD. It (the plan) could not be put on the ground just by giving directions to someone, added Singh.
After prices started shooting up in the market, the minister had directed SFC MD to suggest measures on which the department could further act for lowering down the prices of onions.
However, the Minister showed hope that the corporation may take some measures soon. “Talks are on in the department while the State Food Corporation has also been asked to intervene and prepare a work plan in this regard. The department will act according to the work plan developed by them,” said Roy.
Officials of Food and Civil Supply department asserted that the work plan was under process and an internal meeting had also been held on Monday in this regard. “The work plan is being prepared which is likely to be submitted very soon by the SFC,” said Special Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies department, Ravi Ranjan.
Possibility of making onions available with some of the established government run centres like Dal Bhat Kendra and Suvidha Kendra on cheaper rates across the state was also being explored by the department.
Acting swiftly on the sudden surge in onion prices, the Food and Civil Supplies department had not only issued notices to the traders to curb hoarding but also finding possibilities to sell onion on controlled prices.