Vijayawada Rythu Bazaars See No Rush for Subsidised Onions at ₹35/kg

Subsidised onion sales at Rythu Bazaars in Vijayawada have not drawn the rush expected after the State government capped the price at ₹35 per kg. The measure was introduced to provide relief to consumers amid a surge in vegetable prices.

Price gap keeps buyers from relying on bazaars

The limited response is being linked to the narrow gap between the subsidised price and the rate outside the bazaars. According to Estate Officers, onions are being sold at around ₹50 outside, leaving a difference of only ₹15 per kg.

The State government had earlier announced that the initiative would begin from September 30 at all Rythu Bazaars. However, the public has not become completely dependent on the bazaars as expected.

“Since the difference between the prices offered in the Rythu Bazaar and outside is not too wide, there is no rush here,” said Karunakar, Estate Officer, Patamata.

At the Krishna Lanka and Patamata Rythu Bazaars, around one tonne of onions was being sold on average over the past three days. The sales indicate that the subsidised supply is reaching consumers, but has not resulted in a heavy rush at these centres.

Heavy rain pushes up other vegetable prices

Karunakar said prices of other vegetables, including tomatoes and brinjals, were also rising after a recent spell of very heavy rainfall across the State. Before the rains caused by the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, the prices of both vegetables had remained below ₹30.

Their prices have now increased to ₹44 a kg. Karunakar said it may take two weeks for prices to stabilise.

The outlook remains uncertain because weather experts are discussing another system in the Bay of Bengal around October 15. Prices are expected to rise again if the weather conditions affect supplies.

Source: The Hindu