Hyderabad: With onion prices skyrocketing, the Telangana government has decided to extend the sale of subsidised onions in Rythu Bazaars to the entire state from August 5.
A special counter will be set up in each revenue division in districts for the purpose. The initiative has been implemented in Rythu Bazaars in Hyderabad since the last week of July.
The government has fixed a quota of 2 kg/head at Rs 20/kg against the retail market price of nearly Rs 50/ kg. The quota was fixed after the stocks started getting exhausted in Rythu Bazaars in the city within two hours as thousands thronged to purchase onions at subsidised rates in bulk, leaving many people to return empty handed.
The TS government will procure onion directly from Nasik in Maharashtra and from Kurnool. It has also been decided to set up more special counters in the city at various locations since Rythu Bazaars are not accessible from many areas.
The TS government has decided to procure good quality onions from markets in Nasik (Maharashtra) and Kurnool by spending up to RS 3,000 per quintal.
Officials from the Marketing department have been sent to Nasik and Kurnool to purchase stocks directly from farmers.
Marketing minister T. Harish Rao said, "The onion price was less than Rs 3,000 per tonne in Nasik till July last week. But within a week, the price has increased to Rs 3,200 now. Same is the case with Kurnool. We have sent officials there to purchase onion stocks in bulk for Rs 3,000 per tonne. Though it comes to Rs 30 per kg, the government has decided to sell the same for Rs 20 per kg. The government will bear a subsidy of Rs 10 per kg to ensure that common people are not hit by the steep hike in onion prices."
Mr Rao held a video conference with district collectors and municipal commissioners and asked them to make arrangements for sale of subsidised onions from August 5 across the state.
To meet the heavy demand in the city, the government has decided to set up 40 special counters in various locations, in addition to the 10 Rythu Bazaars, to sell subsidised onions.
"The required onion stocks have already been procured from Nasik and Kurnool markets. As many as 40 special counters will be available for consumers in the city from August 5 onwards in addition to Rythu Bazaars," said Ms G. Laxmibai, additional commissioner, Marketing department.
