India's union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said that the government will not impose a ban on the export of onions even as the prices soar in the international markets.

Pawar responded to the plea by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit seeking a ban on the export of onions in order to control the rising prices in the country. The agriculture ministry turned down the request for a ban on exports while onions were selling between Rs. 30 and 40 per kg in the national capital.

The minister also said that the local issues were responsible for the high prices indirectly blaming the Delhi government for the situation. He has already scheduled a meeting with the officials of his department to discuss the rising prices of onions and asked NAFED to monitor onion supply. Some reports suggest that the National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF) might deliver cheaper onions in Delhi through Kendriya Bhandar mobile vans.

Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar said that there is no need to halt exports of onions from the country. He also pointed out that the onion was a joint responsibility of the entire Cabinet and that the agricultural ministry is only responsible for production and not distribution.