NEW DELHI: Govt Thursday began selling onions from its buffer stock at Rs 35 per kg through 40 outlets across Delhi, over 40% lower than the prevailing retail price of around Rs 62 per kg.After flagging off trucks carrying onions, Union consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare said the recent rise in onion prices was driven by hoarding and profiteering. She asserted that supplies were sufficient to meet domestic demand during the festive season.Khare said the sale of subsidised onions would continue in Delhi and be extended to other cities, including Lucknow, Patna, Amritsar, Kolkata and Chandigarh.According to the department, onions will be sold at locations including NCUI Complex, CR Park, Ashram, Kidwai Nagar, INA Market, Delhi Cantonment, Narela, Alipur, Shahbad, Rohini, Shalimar Bagh, Tikri Border, Bhajanpura and Bawana JJ Colony. “NCCF and NAFED hold substantial onion stocks. We are transporting onions via train and making them available in Delhi through trucks,” Khare said.NAFED managing director Deepak Agrawal said onions would be made available at 40 locations in Delhi at Rs 35 per kg. “We are in talks with Delhi govt to ensure onions are also made available at ration shops across the city,” he said.
