Government has vowed to do every thing possible to bring down rising onion prices. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd announced it would import 25,000 tonnes of onions from Pakistan. Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar told reporters that the government has also decided to move onions from Karnataka and Gujarat where the output has been reasonably good to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Government yesterday asked its three trading companies, MMTC, STC and PEC to import onion to ease the crisis situation that has risen due un-seasonal rains in onion producing states. Mr. Chandrasekhar expressed the hope that government’s move will help ease the prices of onions soon. On the rising prices of Tomatoes Chandrasekhar said it is due to seasonal reasons.

Government has already taken a series of measures to check the rising prices of onions. The exports of onions have been banned until further orders and import duty abolished. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that a complete ban on export of onions has been imposed indefinitely to ensure there is no speculative hoarding.

Official sources said the Cabinet Secretary has also asked the Railway Board to provide more rakes for expeditious movement of onions from producing regions to different parts of the country. Due to the measures taken by the government, wholesale prices of onions have been declining since Tuesday, though the impact is yet to be seen in retail markets.