GUWAHATI, Oct 18 � The worst fears in the case of onion prices have come true in Guwahati with the bulb hitting a century, the highest price ever commanded by the humble onion. Whereas a huge gap between wholesale and retail rates has made the unfair trade practices most evident, it has forced the State machinery to come into the scene for a direct market intervention from tomorrow.
Retailers, mostly the small vendors and local shopkeepers, are selling onion at an eye-watering rate of Rs 100 per kg. Though the rate graph of this essential kitchen staple has been constantly showing an upward swing since the past couple of months, a fall was predicted after the arrival of fresh crop from Nasik.
In Guwahati, the gap between the wholesale and retail prices is noticeable with the former being Rs 60 to 65 per kg in Fancy Bazar wholesale market. With two rake-loads of onions stuck up on way due to unfavourable weather conditions, a visible scarcity gripped the markets during the past couple of days.
Meanwhile, swinging into action, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has decided to sell onions at the wholesale rate through 60-odd notified fair price shops called �Amar Dokan� from tomorrow. According to sources in the department, the situation is likely to improve by Monday or Tuesday, when the onion consignment arrives in Guwahati. Wholesalers have agreed to provide onion at the rate of Rs 56 per kg to such shops and the common people could buy it at the rate of Rs 59 per kg.
�Action could not be taken against the vendors selling onion at the rate of Rs 100 per kg, because both potato and onion do not come under the legal purview of essential commodities due to their perishable nature. Also, it is not easy to monitor the activities of small retailers as they are a scattered lot whereas we keep strict vigil on the wholesale trade and bulk rates of commodities,� said a senior official of the department on condition of anonymity.
�This situation has emerged from supply shortage and the unrestrained trade practice of taking undue advantage in the festive season,� said a consumer.
Currently, onion is coming to the Northeast from Bangalore and a normalcy in its rates could only be expected after Nasik, the bulk supplier, fills the demand-supply gap. Vinod Surana, secretary of the Guwahati Potato Onion Merchants� Association said, �We are constantly getting customer feedback after the rates soared up to Rs 100 in Guwahati. But still, we are selling bulk onion at a rate of Rs 60-65 per kg. We expected a fall by November 15, when fresh crop from Nasik would arrive, but now, we have heard continuous rains have damaged 40 per cent of the crop, which would elongate the wait for cheaper onions.�
Reacting to the retailers� allegation about bulk trade of onion without cash memo, he said that it is a must for the wholesaler to give cash memo to the retailers. �If anyone denies a cash memo, the purchasers should immediately approach the government authorities for redressing their grievances,� he said.