Onions now at Rs.37.5/kg after raids on hoarders: Minister

"Raids were conducted at 123 points in Azadpur Mandi, resulting in a substantial increase in the availability of onions. Also, onion growers were persuaded to sell the commodity in open auction at a reasonable price. This has brought the price down to Rs.37.5 per kg," Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf told reporters.

Yusuf said the traders have been warned against profiteering. "The city government will ensure that there is no scarcity of onions in the city," he said.

He said the availability of onions in Azadpur market has substantially increased from 1,144 tonnes Tuesday to about 2,000  tonnes Wednesday. Only 740 tonnes of onions were supplied at Azadpur Mandi Sunday.

The minister said a control room has also been activated in the department of food and supplies to monitor the rates of onions in wholesale and retail markets of the national capital. The toll free number of control room is 1800-11-0841. 

To deal with a sharp spike in onion prices, the central government Monday banned export of the vegetable till Jan 15.