GOYAL REASSURES FARMERS AMID ONION EXPORT DUTY CONTROVERSY

Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal addressed concerns surrounding the newly imposed 40% export duty on onions during a press briefing today. Countering claims by political adversaries who allegedly misrepresented the situation, he called upon farmers to avoid panic selling.

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Minister Goyal clarified that the duty aims to safeguard consumer interests in the face of rising onion prices. Simultaneously, the government has green-lighted the purchase of an additional 2 lakh tonnes for the buffer stock, a move intended to stabilise market dynamics. This procurement, Goyal emphasised, would be at an “historical rate” of Rs 2,410 per quintal, considerably higher than the typical Rs 1,800-1,900 received from exports.

Previously, on August 19, the central administration had imposed the export tax on onions to enhance domestic availability, amid predictions of reduced kharif output and increasing retail prices.