The Tamil Nadu government has procured 700 metric tonnes of onions from the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) as part of its market intervention initiative to check rising onion prices and provide relief to consumers.
The procurement follows earlier rounds in which onions were sourced through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and subsequently from both NAFED and NCCF, highlighting the role of national-level cooperative organisations in stabilising essential commodity prices.
Under the third phase of the initiative, onions are being sold at Rs 35 per kg, with a limit of one kg per ration card, through 8,914 urban fair price shops and cooperative supermarkets operating under the Tamil Nadu Cooperation Department.
Sales commenced in Chennai on October 10, 2026, and will begin in other districts from October 11. The 700 tonnes procured from NCCF are being transported to various districts for distribution through the cooperative retail network.
The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on households, particularly economically weaker and middle-income families, amid rising onion prices.
The Tamil Nadu government has also introduced a WhatsApp helpline (96005 61969) to address public complaints and grievances relating to onion sales.
