INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NASHIK: The Nashik district onion traders' association called off its strike on Wednesday, paving the way for resumption of auctions at the
district's 15 agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) from Thursday
The move will ensure smooth supply of onions from Nashik, the country's largest onion hub, to various states across the country
The traders were on strike for the last three days in protest of Centre's imposition of 40% export duty on onions.Association president
Khandu Deore said the strike was called off after Union minister Bharati Pawar assured the traders that she would discuss with her cabinet
colleague, Piyush Goyal, whether the onion containers, which are currently stuck at various ports for the last few days, can be shipped out
of the country without paying the duty
The director of APMC at Lasalgaon, Nashik, Jaydutt Holkar, said while the traders were against the export duty, they decided to call off the
strike as the current situation doesn't benefit anyone.Meanwhile, the Centre is considering a proposal to introduce a floor price for onion
exports for calculating the 40% duty to prevent any under-invoicing of shipments of the kitchen staple
TOI has learnt that representatives of Horticulture Produce Exports Association met officials of consumer affairs and finance ministries and
urged the government to fix the floor price to avoid any misuse by invoicing onions at a lower price.A major exporter said by declaring
lower prices, some traders are avoiding duty and reducing their costs
Once the government fixes the floor price, the customs department will levy 40% duty on the floor price, even if the traders prepare
invoices at lower prices.
