Government expands Rs 35/kg onion subsidy to 19 cities amid rising prices
The central government has extended its Rs 35 per kilogram onion sale to 19 cities, including Delhi, to counter price spikes caused by recent rain-damaged crops.
In response to rising onion costs after rain-related crop damage, the Centre has broadened its discounted onion program to cover 19 cities, offering the vegetable at Rs 35 per kilogram. Delhi will receive 1,000 metric tonnes, which will be distributed via fair-price shops and a fleet of mobile vans operating across each of the capital’s 13 districts. The mobile-van model is also being deployed in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur and Noida, where several outlets.
Current market rates in Delhi sit at roughly Rs 50-60 per kilogram, prompting the state government to keep a tight watch on availability and price trends. Officials have pledged to avert any shortage and will intervene further if prices climb, including procuring additional stock from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED). The Delhi chief minister’s office said transportation costs and related expenses will be borne by the government.
Why it matters
Subsidised onions aim to keep a staple food affordable for consumers as weather-related crop loss pushes market prices higher.
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