PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday has raised a pertinent question about the vast difference in onion rates supplied by two different agencies - Horticulture Corporation and Civil Supply Department alleging a scam in the difference of prices.
The Horticulture Corporation, however, tried to clarify that the difference in rates is due to the procurement of onions by the Corporation from the open market as per current wholesale rates while the Civil Supply Department has procured onions from central government agency “ NAFED, which supplies cheaply procured and long-term stored onions.
“When fair price shops are supplying onions at Rs 34 per kg how come the horticulture corporation is supplying onions at Rs 75 per kg,” questioned AAP spokesperson Mellisa Simoes at a press conference on Tuesday.
Simoes demanded that before Diwali the issue of difference in onion prices should be resolved and the people should get onions at cheaper rates.
“If our demand is not met government has to face agitation,” threatened Simoes.
“Onion which is the key ingredient of Goan cuisine was available in the open market for Rs 120 per kg,” pointed out Patricia Fernandes of AAP women’s wing.
“If the Civil Supplies department can sell onions for Rs 34 per kg including the transportation cost and a profit of Rs 3 per kg to the FPS owner, why is Horticulture Corporation selling them for Rs 75 per kg?” asked Fernandes.
AAP alleged that corruption within the Horticulture Corporation and commissions paid to various people was the cause for the high prices.
The Horticulture Corporation Chairman Pravin Zantye however clarified that the mode of wholesale purchase is a factor for the difference in rates of onions in horticulture outlets and fair price shops.
“We are purchasing onions from the regular market while the Civil Supply has procured onions from the agency - NAFED which is a government agency which supplies onion which is already stored onions,” said Zantye. The corporation chairman tried to explain that Horticulture corporation was supplying onions at the rate of Rs 54 to 61 per kg when the rates have reached Rs 84 per kg in the open market.
Zantye said that the rates of onions and other vegetables have been stabilised due to subsidised sale by horticulture corporation.
He further stated that the Corporation is contemplating to erect a storage facility like NAFED so that price fluctuations can be easily handled.
Zantye said confidently that rates of onions will drop to Rs 20 in the next one week.
