Onion prices rise dramatically across country

As onion prices have risen dramatically over the previous week, people are feeling the impact in several areas of the nation including Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal and Ludhiana.

Onion prices in Lucknow are reported to be approximately Rs 60 per kg.

"Onion prices have gone up to Rs 60 per kg. It's hard for financially weak people to consume onions now. I request the government to intervene in this matter," said Jaichand Yadav, a local resident of Lucknow.

"The prices should normally be around Rs 20-25 per kg. We had a lot of expectations from the BJP government, but the condition is now for all to see," said another local, Vijay Bahadur Singh.

"I used to buy onions Rs 15 per kg and sell them at Rs 20. Now the purchase rate is Rs 52/53 and the selling price is Rs 60 per kilo. The government should intervene to keep the prices in check," said an onion seller.

People were worried by Onion's price rise in Patna, as well where it has gone up to Rs 55 per kg.

"The wholesale cost is around Rs 42/43 per kilo and the selling price is around Rs 55 per kilo," said Sujit Kumar, an onion vendor in the city.

"Onion is costly owing to inadequate yield caused due to rains in Nashik. Onion is currently priced around Rs 50-60. We used to purchase about 5 kg of onions but now we are compelled to purchase only half kg," said local resident Santosh Kumar.

Bhopal's onion prices have increased to Rs 70 per kg, and other vegetable prices have increased dramatically as well.

"The rates of onions and other vegetables have increased significantly. We used to buy a higher quantity earlier and now we buy less. Coriander is sold at Rs 120 per kg and even cucumber is sold at Rs 40 per kg," said local resident Raj Goswami.

Onions are priced at 60 Rs per kilo in Ludhiana.

"Onion sales have become very slow. Earlier, those who bought about 5 kg bought just 1 kg," said Narendra Kumar, an onion seller. 

Amid the reports of rise in onion prices in several areas of the nation, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan Tuesday said that the Centre is willing to provide the buffer stocks of onion to states to check price rises.

"We've kept 50,000 metric tonnes of onion in buffer inventory out of which we still have 35,000 metric tonnes of onion. We're prepared to offer state government onion at lower prices," Paswan said at a New Delhi press conference.