Centre asks states to impose stock limits on onion traders as prices rise
Concerned over rising onion prices, the Centre today asked state governments to impose stock limits on traders to check hoarding and curb further increase in rates of the kitchen staple.The government is also considering restricting exports by imposing minimum export price (MEP) to boost local supply and keep prices stable, sources said.Retail onion prices in the national capital have risen to Rs 38/kg as of today from Rs 22/kg in the year-ago period.Onion is sold at Rs 34/kg in Mumbai, Rs 40/kg in Kolkata and Rs 29/kg in Chennai, as per official data."To control the prices of onion, state governments have been advised to impose stock limits for onion on traders/ wholesalers," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted.A letter in this regard has been sent to state governments, who are empowered to take action against onion traders under the Essential Commodities Act.Onion prices have shot up in the last few weeks due to depleting old stocks and concerns about this...23-08-2017