Delhi Beat

Onion export ban turns tears to fears
So far the escalation of onion prices due to ruined crops brought tears. Now in an anti-climax, the excessive production of 8220;garvi kanda8221; may have the farmer-producers waging yet another battle, as the export ban would prove disastrous resulting in a phenomenal reduction in the prices.Exporters and agriculture produce and marketing committee members have demanded lifting of the export ban, failing which prices will collapse hitting the farmer-producer hard, specially as there will mass production of the garvi kanda from January next year.According to Pravin Raisoni, exporter, Pandurang Khise, former chairman of the Haveli Krishi Utpann Bazaar Samiti and others, the four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka are likely to have excessive production of the garvi kanda resulting into flooding of their respective markets with the onions. Already at Lasalgaon in Nashik, the number of tractors bearing onions has increased to 500 following which the price has fallen from Rs 200 perten kgs to Rs 110. If the prices fall to Rs 70 or Rs 80, the farmer-producers will be hit hard, Raisoni said urging that there was an immediate need to lift the export ban.

Ghorpadi tense
Tension prevailed in Vikasnagar area of Ghorpadi today after the death of a youth during a fight between two groups last night. The groups resorted to stone pelting over a petty dispute at around 10 p.m. last night after which the youths involved in the incident had to be admitted to the Sassoon Hospital.

The victim was identified as Rajesh Prakash Shelam 26, who died this morning. According to the police, the groups of youths got into a dispute over dancing to loud music during an engagement ceremony in the locality. In the stone pelting that took place, at least seven youths were injured. The police registered cross complaints of both the groups.

The police have arrested Rajesh Parshuram Bekelu, his brother Rakesh, Bablu Ramchandra Swamy, Valli Salim Khan, and Anand Maruti Masalkhan. Two youths Ravi Chatri and Altaf Khan were absconding. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagannath, assistant commissioner Pratap Deegaonkar, visited the area during the day.