Nashik, August 26: Farmers in Maharashtra on Wednesday stopped the ‘Onion Express’ bound for Delhi at Lasalgaon railway station in Nashik, alleging that rotten onions were being loaded onto the train instead of the good-quality produce procured from them.

The development comes amid a rise in food prices. India’s retail inflation increased to 4.45 per cent in July from 4.38 per cent in June, with the rise largely attributed to higher food prices, particularly onions, ginger and garlic, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The movement of onions to Delhi also comes against the backdrop of concerns over a possible further increase in onion prices in the national capital.

On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a review meeting on the availability and prices of onions and sugar in the city. The meeting noted that there was currently no shortage of either commodity in Delhi. However, the government said it would take measures to protect consumers from any additional burden if prices rise further.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Delhi government will procure onions and sugar from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), a Central government institution, and make them available at various locations across the capital.

The commodities will be sold at the prices at which they are procured from NAFED, while the Delhi government will bear transportation and other related costs.

The Food and Supplies Department has been directed to monitor the supply of onions arriving in Delhi, ensure their proper distribution in markets and prevent hoarding. Officials have also been asked to take necessary action against those found violating the rules.

Food and Supplies Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa and senior officials attended the meeting.

In view of the possibility of further increases in onion and sugar prices, the Chief Minister directed the department to prepare a detailed action plan. The plan will also examine the possibility of making affordable onions available through camps at different locations across Delhi.

Sirsa said the government would ensure that Delhi residents are not burdened by any further increase in onion prices. He said onions would be sold at the price at which they are supplied by NAFED, with the Delhi government absorbing transportation and other associated expenses.

On sugar, the minister said the Central government has prescribed quantity limits to prevent hoarding. The Delhi government will take action if sugar is found to have been stored beyond the prescribed limits.

The department has also been asked to prepare a detailed plan to ensure that sugar is supplied to consumers at affordable prices.

Meanwhile, the farmers’ protest at Lasalgaon has brought the quality and handling of onions being transported to Delhi into focus, with growers alleging that inferior produce was being sent in place of the quality onions purchased from them.