In the retail market, the price of onions has doubled to Rs 40 / kg in one month. (Proceedings)
Mumbai:
In a sudden move, the central government’s Commerce Department banned the export “with immediate effect” of onions on Monday, as their average commercial price in the country’s largest onion market in Maharashtra’s Lasalgaon reached Rs 30 / kg. , double what it was in March.
The ban has infuriated onion farmers, who had just started to get better prices for their products that were washed away or spoiled by heavy rains that hit the country’s onion growing belt, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra. .
In response to the development, NCP Chairman Sharad Pawar, a key constituent in the tripartite mix that governs Maharashtra, said he has discussed the issue with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, urging him to rethink it. “The ban endangers the share of India’s exports in the onion markets of the Gulf countries, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Pawar said in a tweet, adding that it could allow other countries, such as Pakistan, to displace India. “.
I also stressed the fact that Pakistan and other onion exporters will greatly benefit from this situation. In view of all this, I urged Piyush Goyal ji to reconsider the ban on onion exports.@PMOIndia@PiyushGoyal#onionexportban#OnionExport
– Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) September 15, 2020
“The central government has abruptly announced a ban on onion exports. There was a strong reaction in the onion growing belt in Maharashtra and popular representatives from various political parties contacted me last night and asked me to inform the central government about their reaction. I urge Piyush Goyalji to reconsider this decision to ban the export of onion, “he said in a series of tweets.
According to data from the Lasalgaon market, the price of onion doubled between March and September. In the retail market, the price of onions, a staple in the Indian diet, has risen from Rs 20 / kg in June-July to Rs 35-40 / kg now, prompting a government ban on their export.
All of India Dr Ajit Navale, general secretary of Kisan Sabha, said that the ban not only misleads onion growers in Maharashtra, but the entire country.
“The farmers are angry with this decision and have decided to protest by going out on the roads,” he warned, claiming that the decision was made because of the upcoming Bihar elections, as the high price of onion is undesirable for any government seeking reelection.
The onion supply disruption is likely to continue until the next new crop hits the market in November.
The ban comes three months after the central government amended the Essential Products Act of 1955 to impose restrictions on the circulation of cereals, potatoes, onions and other basic products applicable only in extreme conditions, such as war and natural calamities.
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