Onions at Rs 35 per kg in TN fair price shops

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced that it will sell onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg through fair price shops from September 3, to tackle soaring market prices. During a debate in the assembly, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P Venkataramanan said open market prices for the essential kitchen staple have soared up to Rs 60 per kg across the state.

He said, accordingly, the state will purchase about 1,000 metric tonnes of onions in the first phase to supply ration card holders across urban areas. Attributing the sharp price spike to severe supply shortages in key producing states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra caused by adverse weather conditions, the minister reassured the House that the government is actively taking measures to stabilise retail prices.

Highlighting the state’s proactive price control framework, Venkataramanan informed members that essential commodity prices are being scrutinized on a daily basis. He added the state’s Price Monitoring Committee will continue to convene quarterly basis to keep the market volatility in check.