Assam Government to check onion prices, sets price at ₹ 66 per kg

November 6: Onion prices have shot up to Rs 80 per kg in the retail market due to 30-40 per cent decline in domestic production. Onion prices have spiked in the last one month due to supply disruption from growing states like Maharashtra after floods. Rains in the last week further affected the supply, impacting prices. Stored onion is being sold in most parts of the country now and fresh Kharif (summer) crop will hit the market from November onwards, traders said.

State Food and Supplies Minister Phani Bhushan Choudhury on Wednesday said that his government has decided to give some relief to the people of Assam. He said that once the new stock arrives the retail price should not be more than Rs 66.

Although efforts were made to provide some relief to consumers by fixing prices at Rs 66 per kg for a week in Guwahati markets, the Kamrup Chamber of Commerce — one of the apex commerce bodies of the district — claimed prices will continue to remain on the higher side and might not fall for the next three months.

The price situation was reviewed on Wednesday by Food & Civil Supplies minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury in a meeting held with the Kamrup Chambers of Commerce and traders. A senior government official of the concerned department said, “We are very much watchful. All the DCs have been instructed to ensure there is no hoarding or any other malpractices. The district administrations have been asked to hold meetings with traders.”