JEYPORE: In Jeypore sub-division of Koraput district, the soaring price of onion has brought back tears in the eyes of the locals. The tuber is priced at J45 to J50 per kg in local markets. According to sources, about 50 to 60 tonne onion per day is required to meet the demand of consumers of Jeypore, Koraput, Semiliguda, Sunabeda, Damonjodi, Kotpad and Borrigumma but the supply has come down by 50 pc leading to escalation of price in the local markets. On the other hand, absence of a monitoring mechanism has aggravated the situation.
Despite having enough onion stocks in different godowns, traders’ monopoly has worsened the situation. The consumers complained that retailers are exploiting the situation by taking the plea of non-availability of stock and pushing poor quality onion to consumers at exorbitant rates. As per norms, the marketing staff of Civil Supply and Consumer Welfare department should take necessary measures to check the rising price of essential commodities by deputing a task force to markets but no such monitoring takes place, the locals said. However, Civil Supply department officials clarified that the price rise of onion is due to low production of onion across the country. Meanwhile, consumers of Koraput and Jeypore have demanded that government outlets be opened in the wake of crisis. District Civil Supply Officer BC Dash said steps are being taken to bring stability in prices by conducting raids on onion hoarders.