Even as onion prices sky-rocketed to above ₹100 a kg in many States, Andhra Pradesh has managed to retain it at ₹25 per kg through Rythu Bazaar outlets.
The State government has taken steps such as providing subsidy through a Market Stabilisation Fund. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has been closely monitoring the situation.
The role of Rythu Bazaar
The government has so far purchased 35,000 quintals of onion worth ₹25 crore. The procurement is from Sholapur, Alwar, Kurnool and Tadepalligudem at prices varying from ₹40 to ₹120 and being sold at ₹25, an official said.
Rythu Bazaar are State run outlets selling vegetables, fruits, foodgrains and other essential commodities at subsidised prices and are popular across the two Telugu States over the past two decades.
Onion scarcity was first felt in Andhra Pradesh on September 27 and the government quickly bought onions at ₹29 and were sold through Rythu Bazaars at ₹25 till October 2. The next round was from November 14 and the recent one from December 5 with prices spiralling to ₹120 per kg.
The price of onions in most other places, including the neighbouring Telangana State, has been fluctuating between ₹150 and ₹200. The Market Stabilisation Fund has been the cushion to check the market fluctuations and keep the prices stable, the spokesperson said.