Export duty on onions: Maharashtra govt has policy paralysis, lack of coordination, says Supriya Sule

Supriya Sule. File Pic

Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule slammed the Maharashtra government on the stir across the state over export duty on onions. On Thursday, Sule said that the ruling government [in Maharashtra] was exhibiting "complete policy paralysis" and lack of coordination, stated a report in PTI.

Farmers and traders in Nashik have been demonstrating since Monday against Union government's August 19 decision to impose 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31. The demonstration has thereby affected the auctions in the APMCs in Nashik, including Lasalgaon, which is the largest wholesale market of onions in India. The report stated that the farmers have been protesting on the highway demanding the export duty decision be scrapped, according to the PTI.

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The Union government's decision was taken in light of price rise projections ahead of the festive season. However, the farmers claim the move will create glut in domestic market and lead to crash in prices and heavy losses to cultivators, PTI report stated.

The working president of NCP, Sule, told media that she has been raising the issue of onions through social media with Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal for the last four months. "I told him there is excess production of onions in the country and scarcity in some parts of the world," she was quoted as saying, as per the PTI.

The leader further said that she has spoken about the opportunity to export onions and requested the Union government to come out with a clear policy and lamented that no affirmative action was taken in the regard.

Supriya Sule further claimed that incumbent Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is confused because the State agriculture minister went to meet Goyal in Delhi but Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis made a "different" statement on the issue.

"This shows there is no coordination. There is complete policy paralysis in the state government," said the Baramati Lok Sabha member.

When quizzed about her comment on policy paralysis when the government also includes Ajit Pawar, known for his good administrating skills, Sule remarked there is a difference between an individual and an entire government having policy paralysis.

Supriya Sule, in response to a question on NCP split, said that her faction has followed due process and approached the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker for action against them. She reiterated that Sharad Pawar is national president of the party and Jayant Patil is the state unit chief.

(with PTI inputs)