New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS): The government will soon sell onions at subsidised rates here and intervene to keep prices under check, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K.V. Thomas said Tuesday.

Outlets of both the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Fedration and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation will sell onions at Rs.20 a kg.

The ministry has also requested state governments to take similar steps through their agencies.

A statement from the ministry quoted Thomas as telling officials to keep a close watch on onion prices and take appropriate steps like discouraging the export of the commodity, if required.

According to estimates, total onion production in 2011-12 will be 151.36 lakh tonnes, which will be higher than last year's 145.62 lakh tonnes.

But due to rains in some parts of the country and delayed sowing of kharif crop, onion prices have risen in some areas, said officials.