Following a fresh surge in onion prices – termed as “abnormal” by the Centre – States and Union Territories have been asked to take adequate measures to ensure its availability and to keep prices of essential commodities under control.

In a notification issued on August 25, the Centre has allowed States to impose stock limits on onions and undertake various measures, such as de-hoarding of onions, as well as crackdown on speculation and profiteering.

“This has been necessitated due to the abnormal rise in prices of onion in recent weeks, particularly from July-end of this year onwards, though the production and supply of onions in the market is better than last year during the same period,” the Food Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

As per the all-India average retail price, onions are being sold at ₹15/kg to ₹28.94/kg. The rise has been steeper in metros, with the kitchen staple being sold at ₹31/kg in Chennai, ₹38/kg in Delhi, ₹40/kg in Kolkata and ₹33/kg in Mumbai.

“As part of its efforts to ensure that the prices of essential commodities are kept under control, the Government has taken a decision to enable the States and Union Territories to impose control measures on traders and dealers of onion to ensure adequate availability of essential commodity at reasonable prices,” the Food Ministry said.

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