With an aim to contain rising onion prices, the government has banned the export of onion with immediate effect till further orders to increase availability of the commodity in the domestic market. It has also imposed a stock limit on traders to improve the domestic availability of the commodity and provide a relief to consumers.
The Consumer Affairs Ministry said retailers can stock onion only up to 100 quintals and wholesale traders are allowed to keep up to 500 quintals. It added that the reported export below minimum export price (MEP) to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be stopped immediately and strict action will be taken against violators.
The Centre has directed state governments to enforce stock limits strictly and carry out anti-hoarding operations against the unscrupulous traders by organising raids. Currently, retail onion prices are ruling at around Rs 60-80 per kg in the national capital and some other parts of the country due to supply disruption from flood-affected growing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.