India: Government starts discounted onion sale at Rs 35/kg in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai

New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) The Centre on Thursday began the first phase of retail sales of onion at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg to provide relief to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai consumers from rising prices of the kitchen staple. NCCF and NAFED, which are maintaining a buffer stock of 4.7 lakh tonne onion on behalf of the government, will undertake the retail sale through their own stores and mobile vans. Onion will be sold at 38 retail points in Delhi-NCR and Parel and Malad in Mumbai. Currently, retail prices of onion are ruling over Rs 60 per kg, depending on the quality and locality in the national capital. After the launch, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the quantity and disposal channels for onion will be enhanced, deepened, intensified and diversified as per the trend in onion prices. He said more cities will be covered in the coming days. The second phase, beginning next week, will cover key capital cities like Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Chennai, ...