Govt asks NAFED to open more outlets to sell onion at Rs 35/kg

New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) The government today askedagri-cooperative NAFED to set up more sale depots in Delhi andNCR region to sell onion at Rs 35/kg, a move aimed to providerelief to people from high prices.

"NAFED will increase sale points in Delhi and NCR regionto sell onion at Rs 35/kg," Farm Secretary P K Basu told PTI.

NAFED, which has five stores in the capital, has alsobeen asked to sell onion via mobile trucks and tempos, headded.

Basu said the cooperative has been told to procure onionfrom Maharashtra and Gujarat, where arrival has increased andprices are also low.

"Onion is available at lower rates at Rs 30/kg inMaharashtra and Gujarat. So, NAFED will have no problem inselling it at Rs 35/kg," he said.

Onion prices in Delhi''s retail markets are still rulinghigh at Rs 60/kg due to sluggish supply from producing states.

High onion price had fuelled food inflation to over 18per cent for the week ended December 25.

Last week, the government had agreed to compensate 30 percent of losses if NAFED suffers in the sale of onion at acheaper rate.