Amaravati: Centre to import onions to overcome crisis

Amaravati: The Central government has taken the initiative to import onions from other countries to overcome the problem, Union Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba said while addressing the chief secretaries of various states through video conference on Monday.

He instructed the state chief secretaries to procure onion available in the local markets and make it available for people in Rythu Bazaars and other distribution points. He also instructed them to take proactive measures to prevent hoarding and their sale at exorbitant prices.

Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney informed the Union Cabinet secretary that most of the onion is imported from Maharashtra for consumption in AP. "There has been shortage of onions in the market hence the high prices," she said.

Efforts were on to solve the problem by procuring onion and sell them through Rythu Bazaars at subsidised rates.

The chief secretary said that vigilance department has been instructed to take action against the illegal stocks and conduct raids against hoarders.