Centre Mollifies Onion Framers, Traders With Rs 2,410 Per Quintal Purchase Price For Unsold Stock

New Delhi, Aug 22 (KNN) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday offered assurances to farmers and traders protesting the decision to impose a 40% export duty on onions.

He said the central government had begun purchasing unsold stocks at the 'historic' price of Rs 2,410 per quintal.

The centre plans to procure around two lakh tonnes extra - around three lakh tonnes have already been purchased - in buffer stocks. 

Addressing the media he confirmed procurement had started and slammed 'political opponents' for 'trying to present a wrong picture (about export curbs)'.

“I would urge all farmers in onion producing states not to indulge in any panic selling,” the Minister said adding “NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers' Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) have been directed to procure onions,” he said.

Maharashtra agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde told NDTV the decision to procure onions was made after deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis and he spoke to Union Minister Goyal.

The assurances come after two days of protests in Nashik in Maharashtra, where onion auctions were closed indefinitely, at all APMCs (Agriculture Produce Market Committees), including at Lasalgaon - the largest wholesale onion market in India.  (KNN Bureau)