August 8, 2015
The Hindu
Consumers make a beeline for onion at Seethammadhara Rythu Bazaar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
Aadhaar card may have to be produced to get two kg of onion at subsidised rate at rythu bazaars.
All those who consider Aadhaar card as just another proof of identity or address may have to rethink.
From now on, they may have to carry it with them more often than not.
Aadhaar card may have to be produced to get two kg of onion at subsidised rate at rythu bazaars.
“We want to implement this soon to prevent black marketing of onion,” said Joint Collector J. Nivas at Seethammadhara Rythu Bazaar on Friday.
He was reacting to complaints about repeated purchase of the produce by consumers.
During a visit made by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao to the rythu bazaar along with Visakhapatnam North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju and other officials, Mr. Nivas said a few steps had been initiated to ensure smooth supply of onion.
The Minister went round the onion counters, interacted with consumers, and verified the sale process.
“Consumers need not worry about the thinning stock. Depending on the requirement, care will be taken to meet the demand. To ease long queues, additional counters will be opened at rythu bazaars. Until the situation turns normal, onion will be provided at subsidised rate,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.
In the last one week, 3,200 quintals of onion have been sold for Rs. 20 a kg at various rythu bazaars. The commodity is being sold at Rs.40 or Rs.50 a kg in the open market.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the State government had been considering viable options to source onion from neighbouring States to meet the growing demand ever since the price shot up.
He said that it would take another week’s time to retain market stability.
Apart from checking the weighing process at the counters, the Minister visited the rythu bazaar toilet and expressed disappointment over its maintenance.