New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS): Concerned over skyrocketing prices of onions which have nearly tripled in the last few weeks, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Thursday said she had written to union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar seeking curbs on its export.

"We are sensitive to the needs of the citizens... we have written a letter to the union agriculture minister to intervene and take an urgent appropriate action in getting the onion export curtailed at the earliest. This would bring the desired improvement in the onion prices," she said after a a high-level meeting here.

The Delhi government has also asked its food and civil supplies department to take tough action against hoarders.

"We have instructed the Delhi food and civil supplies department to keep a close watch on the market trends and take strict action against the hoarders," Dikshit said.

Participating in the meeting, a representative of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) said the onion price situation may ease in a fortnight's time after improved arrivals from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

Onions, which were sold at Rs.20 per kg a few weeks ago in Delhi, are now being sold at Rs.50 to Rs.60 per kg in retail markets.