Andhra Pradesh begins subsidised onion sales in Vijayawada

The Andhra Pradesh government has begun selling onions at a subsidised price of ₹35 a kilogram at all Rythu Bazars in Vijayawada. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said the scheme would allow each family to purchase up to 2 kg a month.

Buyers must produce an Aadhaar card or ration card. The programme started on September 30 as the government sought to limit the impact of rising prices of essential commodities. The Ministers said market conditions were being reviewed regularly and that further measures would be taken if required.

The subsidised onion sales are initially limited to Vijayawada. The government said the programme could be expanded to Rythu Bazars elsewhere in Andhra Pradesh depending on the response. The measure was among a package of steps announced by a group of Ministers on September 25.

That package also included the sale of super-fine rice at ₹50 a kilogram through Rythu Bazars. Atchannaidu had said the State would purchase onions through its price stabilisation fund and sell them in the market. Onions do not have a minimum support price, according to the material supplied.

The government also plans to increase onion cultivation in non-traditional areas and reduce Andhra Pradesh’s reliance on supplies from Maharashtra. The Ministers said the initiatives were intended to contain price pressures while ensuring access to essential food items.