AP will continue to sell subsidised onions: CM Jagan

Amaravati: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy affirmed that Andhra Pradesh is the only State that is supplying onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg and will continue the aggressive intervention to supply the scarce commodity through the 101 Rythu Bazaar outlets across the State.

Subsidised onions will be available at all the market yards from next Friday onwards, he announced in the State Assembly, during a short discussion on onion shortage on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said that there was intervention from the government side in 10 phases since September. He said measures were being taken to ensure that the price is maintained at Rs 25 till the onion market price is stabilised.

Andhra Pradesh is the only State which is supplying onions at a subsidised price of Rs 25 while the price is much higher even in States that have intervention.

In the neighbouring Telangana, subsidised onions are available only in one Rythu Bazaar and the rate is Rs 40 per kg, while in other States the price is much higher.

Onions are sold in Bihar at Rs 35 per kg, in West Bengal (Rs 59), Tamil Nadu (Rs 30 and 40) and Madhya Pradesh (Rs 50). The State procured 38,496 quintals of onions and stood first in the scale of distribution and subsidy offered.

Further, the State government has placed the highest indent of 2100 MT with Government of India for import of onions from outside.

The imports are expected to arrive at Mumbai port on December 12 or 13, explained Minister for Marketing Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao in a statement in the House.

The Chief Minister further said, "No State has done the intervention and procured onions from open market to supply

at subsidised price and we are doing it in 101 Rythu Bazaar outlets.

We will continue to supply subsidised onions till the market stabilises. Till now the State has supplied 38,496 quintals of onions. From Friday onwards, onions would be supplied from market yards as well," Jagan said.