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Bhubaneswar: Hoarders beware! Odisha government has stipulated stock limits of onion for various middlemen, the violation of which will attract cancellation of licenses.
As per the government's decision, wholesale traders in Bhubaneswar can only stock 500 quintals of onion. Similarly, traders in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Rourkela can maintain an inventory of 300 quintals. Moreover, retailers and small traders can only store up to 14 quintals of onion.
"I have already signed an order instructing all district collectors that retailers cannot store more than 14 quintals of onion. The officials will immediately take stock of the inventory and initiate appropriate action in case of any violations," said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Surya Narayan Patro.
Moreover, the Food, Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, following a central gazette notification, has instructed all district collectors to keep a close watch on prices and quantity of onion in open markets.
However, the Federation of All Odisha Traders Association (FAOTA) has protested the decision of the government.
Citing that the government has not sought the opinion of traders before taking the decision, FAOTA said that such checks will only increase the price of onion.
"The association should be taken into confidence while taking such big decisions. Such a rule is not viable, especially in Odisha. It will have a negative impact and consumers will suffer," said Sudhakar Panda, general secretary of FAOTA.
Even though onion is being imported from other states, there has been no decline in prices. While the wholesale rate is Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per quintal, it is being sold at Rs 28 to Rs 30 per kg in the open market.
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