Onion entangled in politics of Gujarat, Maharashtra; doubt over announcement of export exemption

Maharashtra politics has hotted up over the ban on onion export. To control onion prices in view of the ongoing elections, the central government had banned onion exports on December 8. This was strongly opposed by the farmers of Maharashtra because due to the ban on export, onion prices fell and they had to suffer huge losses. Now during the Lok Sabha elections, the issue of ban on onion export is gaining momentum in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, two decisions related to onion export have further heated up the onion politics of Maharashtra.

Last week the central government allowed the export of 2000 tonnes of white onion. White onion is mainly produced in Gujarat. According to the notification of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), for export of white onion, a certificate of commodity and quantity will have to be obtained from the Horticulture Commissioner of Gujarat.

This export will be from Mundra and Pipavav of Gujarat and Nhava Sheva/JNPT port of Mumbai. Amreli and Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat are known for the cultivation of white onion. Voting is to be held in both the districts on May 7.

The exemption for export of white onion is being seen as an attempt to benefit Gujarat.

Raju Shetty, president of Maharashtra's farmer organization Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and former MP, told Rural Voice that this policy of exemption for export of white onion and ban on export of red onion is completely wrong. There is a lot of resentment among the farmers of Maharashtra regarding this. There should not be such discrimination between farmers of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar also criticized the Modi government's decision to exempt the export of white onion. 

When the issue of exemption for export of white onion started gaining momentum in Maharashtra, the Central Government hurriedly issued a release allowing export of 99,150 tonnes of onion to six countries.

According to a release issued on April 27, the central government has allowed export of 99,150 tonnes of onion to Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. For onion export to these countries, National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) has planned to purchase and export domestic onions.

This announcement of export of 99,150 thousand tonnes of onion by the Central Government was issued before the election rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolhapur on Saturday. Due to this, there was a competition among BJP leaders to thank Prime Minister Modi.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, "Many thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing the export of 99,150 tonnes of onion. It will be exported to 6 countries Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. This will benefit the onion growers of Maharashtra the most."

With this announcement by the Central Government, it seemed that the farmers of Maharashtra would get some relief. But soon doubts arose regarding this announcement. Former president of Shetkari Sangathan and farmer leader Anil Ghanwat has claimed that the permission for export of 99,150 tonnes of onion announced by the Central Government has already been given. This is not a new permission. The government is only trying to mislead the farmers.

The Central Government has given permission to export a total of 99,150 tonnes of onion to various countries from April 2023 till now and the exports are being done through NCEL. Anil Ghanwat says that no order has come for export of new onions. Election campaign is currently going on in the onion belt of Maharashtra. The Modi government is spreading confusion to avoid the anger of the farmers. Ghanwat also raised questions on allowing export of white onion.

In the Central Government's release issued on April 27 regarding permission to export 99,150 tonnes of onion, it is not clear as to when this decision will be implemented. Nor has any notification been issued in this regard. This deepens the message that this is not about exporting new onions.

Due to the recent announcement of onion export, the resentment of the farmers of Maharashtra seems to be increasing instead of decreasing. Opposition alliance candidate from Nashik, Shiv Sena (UTB) Rajabhau Waze has termed the order to export 99150 tonnes of onion to six countries as an attempt to hoodwink the farmers. He says that the Central Government has re-issued the old decisions related to onion export.