Bhubaneswar: With prices of Onion witnessing a sharp rise in last three to four days in Odisha, State Food Supplies minister Surya Narayan Patro today said that heavy rainfall and ongoing truckers’ strike are responsible for the surge in prices of the vegetable.
Onion prices have risen to Rs 32-35 per kg from around Rs 20 in the past few days.
“Maharashtra has been witnessing rainfall, so new crop is yet to hit the market. The ongoing truckers’ strike has also fuelled the price rise,” said Patro.
Once new supplies come in we will try to control the rates, he added saying that government is keeping a sharp vigil on the stocks of the vegetable to prevent hoarding and high profiteering by traders.
Federation of All Odisha Traders Association (FAOTA) meanwhile has said the situation will improve in a week or two.
“Since production is low and consumption demands are higher, onion prices have shot up in last few days,” FAOTA general Secretary, Sudhakar Panda said.
Even as Odias in state are currently observing the holy month of ‘Kartik’ during which they generally refrain from consuming onion, the rates of the vegetable which was around Rs 20 a kg has suddenly skyrocketed to Rs 32 to Rs 35 a kg in a span of three to four days.
Earlier in August, Onion prices witnessed a similar rise from Rs 13 -15 per kg to Rs 28 -30 per kg.
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