Tribune News Service
Moga, November 26
Following intelligence inputs of dealers hoarding onions in many cities, the state government has today imposed stock limits on storing of onions in a bid to control the price of this essential commodity.
Issuing directions to all dealers, including wholesalers, distributing agents and selling agents, the Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, KAP Sinha has put a limit of 500 quintal on onion stock for wholesalers. For retailer, the stock limit has been fixed at 100 quintal.
Stating that these directions have been issued to stop hoarding of onions, he said high onion prices might impel some traders to hoard onions and create an artificial shortage in the market to later sell it at exorbitant prices.
“The measure is expected to bring the prices of onions down to a reasonable level to give an immediate relief to consumers,” said Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
On September 29, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumers’ Affairs) issued a similar order- removal of licensing requirements, stock limits and movement restrictions on specified foodstuffs order 2019 to limit the stocking of onions by wholesalers and retailers.
The retail onion prices have skyrocketed to Rs 70-90 per kg in various parts of the state during the past few months.
