With elections only a year away, the Congress Government cannot risk tears from onions in the eyes of voters. With the prices of bulbous root soaring in the month of Ramadan, the Sheila Dikshit Government can ill-afford to let its Muslim voters do without onions. This has led to religious divide on the sale of onions in the Capital
The Delhi Government has decided to distribute onions through mobile vans at the subsidised rate of Rs 22 per kg at Daryaganj, Jama Masjid, Ballimaran, Keshopur, Seelampur, Ghonda and Okhla (these are Muslim dominated areas in the Capital). The Government has also put up stalls at four mandis including Azadpur, Okhla, Keshopur and Ghazipur. Due to short-supply from onion producing States such as Maharashtra, which has been affected by rains, onion prices have hit the roof. It is currently selling at a rate between Rs 25-35 per kg in the retail market.
