Skyrocketing prices of onion in the national capital again forced the city government to interfere. In a bid to pacify Delhiites, who are suffering due to steep price rise, the government on Wednesday decided to sell onions at `60 per kg through government stalls and vehicles. The prices of the vegetable reached `80-85 per kg in the last couple of days in the retail market. While chief minister Sheila Dikshit blamed “unprecedented rain and flood” for this, Delhi food and civil supply minister Haroon Yusuf alleged the BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh for hoarding the onion leading steep hike in the rate of onion.
“The Delhi BJP would have told the Madhya Pradesh government to hoard onion so that they can win the election. There has been reports that some hoarders arrested in Indore city of MP,” Mr Yusuf told reporters here.
Delhi development minister Rajkumar Chauhan claimed that there is no shortage of onion in the city as there is still a stash of more than 1,100 tones in the whole sale markets. On Tuesday, there was a stash of 1,400 tones in the market. “No hoarder will be spared in Delhi. The prices will come down in 7-8 days as the arrival has been affected due heavy rains in southern part of India. We are dependent on other states for onions,” the minister said.