Hyderabad: The misery for Hyderabadis just increases. Already under an onsla-ught from a plethora of difficulties — a health epidemic of viral fevers, dengue and malaria, incessant rainfall, waterlogging, bad roads, and below-par sewage and water supply, people now have a new cause for tears — rising prices of onion. The retail price of onions has shot even above the high levels of Rs 55 for a while and breached the Rs 58 per kilo mark, the second time in a month that the prices have risen.
Supermarkets have purchased large stocks of onions at a higher price from wholesalers and prices will thus stay in this range till stocks run out.
Wholesalers said that once new stock comes into the market, price will drop. Onions are being sold at Rs 35 to Rs 45 per kg in the wholesale market.
Heavy rain has destroyed the onion crop in Maha-rashtra, the largest producer of onions. This has exacerbated situation and led to a steep price rise. Other major onion growing states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have had heavy rainfall.
Traders say that once the new stock comes into the market, prices will drop to Rs 500 per quintal, bringing down retail prices as well. Those who had hoarded large stocks are now selling them at high prices.
Mr S. Niranjan Reddy, agriculture and marketing minister, said that in view of reports that certain traders were creating an artificial scarcity, the marketing director was asked to hold discussions with traders to control prices and not to burden people.
He said that there were reports that new crop of onions is coming into the market and prices should drop in the next two to three days.
The minister disclosed that the government was in touch with the Centre to boost supply by lifting Central buffer stock to maintain prices, in case the situation gets worse.
“Once the flood situation in Maharashtra is normalised, retail price of onions will come down,” Mr Reddy assured.
Mr Venkata Ramana, president, Onion Imports and Exports Traders Association of Hyderabad, said that around 135 truckloads of onions had come from Maharashtra and 35 loads were sufficient for the city. He said that onion stocks were coming in from Maharashtra and Kurnool.
“It has become very difficult to manage our household needs with the rising prices. We use onions in many ways — raw onions in salads, and in many dishes. The price rise has hit our monthly budget,” said Ms Urvashri M., a homemaker. “The government should keep track and not allow these steep price rises.”
