00:00Just ahead of the festive season, there is a fresh price pinch for households.
00:05Onion prices have jumped to about 35 rupees a kilo, 60 to 65 a kilo in several markets as well.
00:12While sugar prices too have climbed sharply to nearly 65 rupees a kilo.
00:17The opposition is blaming the government for the rising cost of essentials, especially at the time of festivities.
00:22The centre meanwhile says it is releasing onion buffer stocks and has launched a Kanda Express to bring prices down.
00:30While pushing back on the opposition's claim over sugar.
00:33So what is it that is driving the spike in kitchen prices and can the government's measures bring relief this
00:38festive season?
00:39Here's more.
00:44Just ahead of the festive season, the kitchen is getting more expensive.
00:49First, sugar.
00:51Now, onion prices are bringing tears to consumers.
00:55A month ago, onions were selling at around 35 rupees a kilo.
01:00Today, retail prices have touched 60 to 65 rupees in several markets.
01:06So what is driving the spike?
01:09Lower supplies.
01:11A delayed Kharif crop.
01:13And weather damage to the late Rabhi crop.
01:16Because of which Maharashtra Kharif onion crop has been delayed.
01:20Now, the price has been delayed.
01:21Now, it is a little bit, but does not have to improve the quality of your price.
01:25Not at all.
01:28The price rises up to 60 rupees per kilo.
01:30What is this total cost?
01:31The price is $60,000-60,000 is still $60,000 or $70,000.
01:35So that's what does the price have been added?
01:36The price uses a little less quality.
01:38The price is still less than $60,000, then the price has been given.
01:43In the price is still less than $50,000.
01:54The opposition has now targeted the centre, accusing the Modi government of failing to control essential commodity prices and adding
02:02to the burden on households.
02:04The government is pushing back with action.
02:08The centre is releasing buffer stocks and has launched Kanda Express to move onions to key-consuming centres.
02:16Around 800 tonnes are being brought to major cities, with onions to be sold at Rs 35 a kilo through
02:23government outlets.
02:25But onions are not the only worry. Sugar prices have surged too.
02:31In just a month, retail sugar prices have risen from around Rs 48 to nearly Rs 65 a kilo, just
02:38ahead of the festive season.
02:40The opposition has attacked the government over low sugar stocks, questioned the diversion of sugar towards ethanol.
03:08The government, however, rejects the ethanol link.
03:11Not only in India, in the entire world, the overall agricultural production has come down, sugar price has come down.
03:21We are very much concerned about it and that's why we have immediately taken many measures.
03:30So, as the festive season approaches, the pressure is rising inside the kitchen.
03:36Sugar is getting costlier.
03:38Onions are getting costlier.
03:40And for the common household, the festival bill could come with a bitter aftertaste.
03:46With Ashutosh Mishra, Bureau Report, India Today.
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