India moves to curb onion price hike

by Our Correspondent in Dhaka;

India, faced with onion price hike, has moved to ease import conditions to ease the situation which also help neighbouring Bangladesh.

A source in the Indian capital New Delhi quoted a circular issued on Wednesday by Krishi Bhawan as saying that the onion price shot up to Rs 100 per kilos due to rainfall in South India. “As a result, the government has decided to relax conditions on onion imports from foreign countries,” it added.

The circular said, “The government in the light of public concern over price hike of onions has decided to import onion till December 15 based on some conditions. Some government regulations on maintaining quality of imported onion have also been relaxed.”

“The consignment of imported onion will be inspected by quarantined officials who will release the consignment only if it is free from pests and diseases of concern to India.”

Bangladesh its bulk requirement of onion from neighbouring India and thus price hike also affects this South Asian country and was responsible for a diplomatic row between the two countries over sudden slap on exports by New Delhi recently.

The move by India will thus keep onion prices under control in Bangladesh.

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