New Delhi: The ban on export of onions was lifted on Tuesday after an EGOM meeting but food minister K V Thomas has said that this was a political decision, emphasising that in a federal structure interests of the states have to be kept in mind.
"It is always a political decision. There is a political angle to many decisions but we will look into the administrative angle. Interest of the states have to be taken into account in a federal structure," he said.
"Onion prices cannot go beyond a level. Last year December, prices went upto Rs 80 per kilo, this year we have acted well in advance," said Thomas.
Speaking to CNN-IBN's Editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, he did assure consumers that onion prices will not rise beyond a particular level....
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07:54 AM, Sep 21, 2011
New Delhi: The export ban on onions has lead to tension in Maharashtra with farmers on protest and markets shutting down. The decision on the ban has the government split down the middle. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will meet state officials on Saturday to review the situation. Under pressure, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan appealed to Food Minister KV Thomas to lift the ban that was imposed three days ago.... 
