'Netas' busy playing politics as onion rates hit the roof

At Rs80 a kg, onion prices have hit the roof in most retail markets, but the UPA government does not appear to be in a hurry to address the problem.

Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar’s comment that prices won’t come down quickly has only aggravated the agony of the common man.

“Onion prices will remain high for the next three weeks,’’ said Pawar on Tuesday, adding, “The ban on onion exports should help reduce prices.’’

The comment comes at a time when some desperate traders from north India are importing onions from Pakistan. The cost of onions fromPakistan at landing is between Rs18 and Rs20 per kg.

Adding a touch of irony to the situation, an official release by Pawar’s ministry claimed that wholesale prices in the Nashik and Azadpur mandis had come down by 35% and 13%, respectively.    

“Following a decision taken by the price fixation advisory committee (PFAC) to voluntarily suspend the issuance of no-objection certificate for export of onions, the prices in the wholesale market have come down,” said the statement.

It claimed an improvement in the arrivals as well. But even at Rs36 per kg in Nashik and Rs46 kg in Azadpur (Delhi), the commodity remains out of the common man’s reach.

The usual blame game is also on. While Pawar has attributed the situation to unseasonal rains in Maharashtra, particularly in Nashik, a major onion production centre, Union commerce minister Anand Sharma has placed the blame on hoarders and speculators.

Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has described the situation as ``unfortunate’’ and promised to discuss it the ministries concerned.