New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- In a precautionary measure to keep a lid on onion prices during this season of festivals, the Centre on Thursday launched retail sale of the politically-sensitive vegetable Rs.24 a kg, starting with cities where prices had crossed Rs.31. Towards the end of the monsoon season, onion prices typically soar to Rs.80-100 per kg, but they are still hovering around Rs.40-50 this year.

"This is just the beginning. We have started sales in a few cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, which are witnessing higher prices, and it will be extended to other cities in the coming days," Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi said flagging off mobile vans of National Cooperative Developm...