By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: It seems, Odisha Civil Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranedra Pratap Swain is helpless with Consumers facing tears in their eyes with prices of onion skyrocketed and reaching Rs 80 per Kilogram in Bhubaneswar alone.
Despite various measures, the crunch in onion supply has sent prices soaring with many places with new onions with Rs 80 per kg and old onion with Rs 90 per kg across the State.
Onion prices are ruling high for more than a month in the country due to supply disruption following heavy rains in growing states like Maharashtra.
Taking note of the escalating price of onions across the state, the Odisha Government had earlier directed the Collectors of all districts to take steps to make onions available at affordable prices to consumers.
While the government claims that the prices would ease soon, onion traders in Odisha feel that they will further rise and may even cross Rs 100 a kg in a few days.
The price rise is affecting the consumers a lot. “Onion prices are hurting us. Rising prices are putting an extra burden on our budget,” said a consumer.
According to sources, a drop in supply of onion from Nasik and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has resulted in higher prices. Once the new crops reach the market, there won’t be any shortage and prices will automatically reduce, said a Balasore-based wholesaler, Budhia Das.
“This is a countrywide phenomenon. We are undertaking enforcement drives to control abnormal spikes in prices. Besides, through fair price shops, we are trying to control the situation,” said Odisha Food and Supplies Minister, Ranendra Swain.
