According to information, the Indian government is exploring possibilities of distributing imported onion under various public welfare schemes.
"The government has plenty of onions stacked at ports. States are not showing interest as imported onions are costlier and of poor quality," said an official.
States are not keen on imported onions as cheaper and better quality domestic crop has already started hitting markets in full swing, while the vegetable at ports are decaying, he said. Of the 36,000 tonnes of onion imported, the states have lifted only 4,000-5,000 tonnes, the official added.
The government had imported onions after prices of the vegetable spiralled to 150 rupees per kg in key spot markets. Prices of the commodity rose sharply as supply and output was severely hit due to excessive rainfall during Sep-Oct in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
However, since then supply of the vegetable has been steadily increasing with a pick up in the harvesting of the late-kharif crop.
Currently, onion is available at 18 rupees per kg in key spot markets while the government is offering it at around 20 rupees per kg, traders said.
[ Rs100 = Euros 1.30 ]
