Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 4: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the retail sale of onions at a controlled price of Rs 24 per kilogram in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad on Thursday. The onions are being sold through outlets and mobile vans operated by NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar, and their distribution partners as part of the government’s effort to regulate essential commodity prices.
The government plans to expand this initiative nationwide based on fluctuations in onion prices. Daily monitoring of 38 key commodities, including onions, from 574 markets helps guide the strategic release of onions from buffer stocks to maintain price stability.
Joshi emphasized that controlling food inflation remains a top government priority. Direct measures, such as this price stabilization effort, have contributed to lowering inflation, with general retail inflation for July 2025 recorded at 1.55 percent—the lowest in nearly eight years—largely due to a significant dip in food prices.
This year, onion production is estimated at 307.71 lakh tonnes, a 27 percent increase from last year. There are no export restrictions or duties, with exports steady at over 1 lakh tonnes each in July and August 2025.
To stabilize prices, the government procured 3 lakh tonnes of onions through NCCF and NAFED from major rabi onion-producing regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Farmers received direct payments via bank transfers linked to their Aadhaar numbers.
A technology-driven system now tracks procurement, storage, and distribution to ensure transparency and efficiency. Verification of farmer identities and land records is conducted via Maharashtra’s official portal, e-mahabhumi. Officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and National Test House regularly inspect storage facilities to confirm onion quality and quantities before payments are finalized.
This coordinated approach aims to keep onion prices affordable for consumers while supporting farmers fairly.