As the humble onion has started making common man cry over its rising retail price , the issue has also led to a confrontation between allies Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit sought Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's urgent intervention to curtail export of onion to bring down its price, which has been selling between Rs.30 and 40 per kg in the city, the ministry headed by the NCP chief turned down her plea on Friday.
Pawar raised fingers at the Delhi government pointing out that local factors were responsible for price rise of onion in the national capital.
The minister called a meeting of his department officials on onion price issue. He has also asked NAFED to monitor onion supply.
According to sources, Delhi might get cheaper onions as National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF) would distribute cheaper onions through Kendriya Bhandar mobile vans.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar turned down Delhi chief minister's request, saying there was "no need to stop export of onion".
Anwar said onion was a joint responsibility of the Cabinet, not only agriculture ministry's. He said agriculture ministry's responsibility was production and not distribution.
"It is not totally my responsibility, but it is decided with the consent of everyone in the Cabinet. I am sure Sheilaji will take care of this issue," Anwar said.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh also criticised the UPA government over the issue, saying not only onion but price of everything was increasing alarmingly.
"The inflation is increasing alarmingly. Prices of everything are increasing except for the common man's life," Rajnath said attacking the government.
- With inputs from Headlines Today
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