National
Controlling onion prices not in our hands: Paswan (Lead)
New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Despite taking measures such as procurement from local markets, boosting imports and discouraging export of onions, the Central government on Wednesday expressed its helplessness in controlling the rising prices of the essential commodity.
Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the onion yield this year was expected to be lower since the area under onion cultivation had come down to 1.90 lakh hectares in 2017-18 from 2.65 lakh hectares in 2016-17.
“We have taken several measures, like procurement by agencies from areas such as Nashik (Maharashtra) and Alwar (Rajasthan) where the cost is lower, as well as import of onions. But it (bringing down prices) is not in our hands,” Paswan told reporters here.
While the Ministry’s data showed average prices of onion and tomato in Delhi ranged between Rs 53 and Rs 63 per kg, these were being sold for up to Rs 80 in retail markets.
Once the supply from (late) kharif starts, prices may come down, he added.
Paswan held a meeting with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Food as well as the Delhi government on Wednesday on the rising prices of onions and tomatoes.
Prices are low at one corner of the country while they are high at the other, he said.
“We are trying to figure out how onion from areas where prices are lower can be transported to Delhi,” he said.
On October 31, Paswan had blamed hoarding for a surge in the prices of onions and tomatoes in retail markets, and promised that the situation will improve once the fresh supply began.
Paswan added the onion output was 189 lakh tonnes in 2014-15, 209 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 and 217 lakh tonnes in 2016-17.
“However, the Agriculture Ministry has not yet provided information about the output this year. It is likely to come in January,” he said.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation has been asked to procure onions from Nashik, Alwar where prices are lower, about Rs 28-32 per kg.
It has procured approximately 1,000 tonnes of onions so far, said Avinash Srivastava, Consumer Affairs Secretary.
The Ministry has also asked public sector body Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India to import 2,000 tonnes of onions. However, this can only be used after a month as imported onions come in cold storage and need to be brought to room temperature.
Paswan said an increase in the Minimum Export Price (MEP) had brought down onion exports.
“On November 23, 4,159 tonnes of onion was exported. However, the export reduced to just 137 tonnes on November 23, after the MEP was set at $835 per tonne,” he said.
–IANS
spk/him/bg
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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