As part of its efforts to check prices, the Delhi government is planning to use liquor outlets in the capital to sell onions and potatoes.

New Delhi: As part of its efforts to check prices, the Delhi government is planning to use liquor outlets in the capital to sell onions and potatoes.

The idea was put forth by the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DSIIDC) at a meeting to discuss ways to contain prices of onions and potatoes, a government official said.

The meeting was chaired by the Principal Secretary (Finance) in New Delhi on Monday.

Almost 250 locations in various government premises have been identified for setting up temporary shops to sell onions and potatoes on wholesale rates.

In addition, the Delhi Jal Board will sell the vegetables at wholesale rates at 25 locations and SDMs at 33 locations.

Among other departments, the Excise department will set up 15 stalls and the Public Works Department (PWD) 25.

Three municipal corporations will also sell onions and potatoes at various earmarked locations.

The National Co-operative Federation of India (NFFC) will be running three mobile vans and will also open shops at five locations for sale of onions and potatoes.

The Principal Secretary (Finance) also directed the Commissioner (Food and Supplies) to step up efforts for sale of the vegetables at the wholesale rates through fair price shops (FPS).

More than 288 FPS have already been identified for this purpose and more shops are being identified. At present, these are being sold at 70 government premises at the rate of Rs 22 per kg.

This is in addition to the 70 mobile vans which are in operation and cover more than 250 locations every day.

The business head of SAFAL, who was present in the meeting, said they would sell onions and potatoes on "no profit, no loss" basis for the next three months at its 380 outlets in Delhi.

It was also decided that an awareness campaign will be launched to aware the people about the rates of onions and potatoes in Delhi, as well as the rates at which they are being sold at SAFAL outlets and at government offices.

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung will review the steps taken by the government to check prices of these essential commodities on Tuesday.

PTI