Centre to buy 2 lakh metric tonnes onion at Rs 2,410 per quintal: Devendra Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Centre has decided to purchase two lakh metric tonnes of onion at the rate of Rs 2,410 per quintal, and expressed hope this will provide relief to producers of the key kitchen staple in the state.
He also said special procurement centres will be set up in Nashik and Ahmednagar in the state.
The announcement comes amid protests by farmers and traders against the Centre's decision to impose 40 per cent export duty on onions to check price rise and improve supplies in the domestic market.
The Finance Ministry through a notification on August 19 imposed the 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31, 2023.
Fadnavis, who is currently on a visit to Japan, in a post on X said, "I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal regarding the onion issue. The Union government would procure two lakh metric tonnes of onion at the rate of Rs 2,410 per quintal."
"There will be special procurement centres set up in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts for the same. It would offer some relief to the onion growers in the state," the deputy CM added.
On Monday, traders decided to close onion auctions indefinitely in all the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Nashik, including at Lasalgaon, which is the largest wholesale onion market in India.
Several farmers and traders also held protests on Monday in Nashik district seeking a rollback of the export duty.
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UDF to make comeback in Kerala after 10 years, edges out LDF: Exit Polls
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is projected to return to power in Kerala after 10 years, ahead of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to different exit polls released on Wednesday evening.
Most surveys indicate a lead for the UDF over the LDF, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to have limited presence in the Assembly with only a few seats projected.
According to Matrize, the UDF is likely to win between 70 and 75 seats, while the LDF is projected to secure 60 to 65 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 3 and 5 seats, as per the same survey.
People’s Pulse has projected a higher range for the UDF, estimating 75 to 85 seats, while the LDF is expected to get between 55 and 65 seats. The NDA is projected to win between 0 and 3 seats in this survey.
Axis My India has also forecast a clear lead for the UDF, projecting 78 to 90 seats for the alliance. The LDF is expected to win between 49 and 62 seats, while the NDA is again projected to remain within the 0 to 3 seat range.
Another projection by Vote Vibe estimates the UDF to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF could secure 58 to 68 seats. Others are expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
P-MARQ, in its survey for the 140-member Assembly, has predicted 72 to 79 seats for the UDF and 62 to 69 seats for the LDF, with around 3 seats going to others.
According to CNN-18, the UDF is projected to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF may secure 58 to 68 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
NDTV has predicted 75 to 85 seats for the UDF and 55 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to secure between 0 and 3 seats.
Meanwhile, today’s Chanakya has projected 72 to 80 seats for the UDF and 60 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to get between 3 and 7 seats.
Kerala went to polls on April 9, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
