On Tuesday, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde stated that cold storages can provide a permanent solution to onion farmers` woes. CM further directed officials to work on the onion issue.

CM Shinde held a press conference along with deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to address the issue in Mumbai.

CM also said that the government is working on the concept of `onion bank`, and a panel headed by senior scientist and former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar has been set up for it.

In Maharashtra, a section of farmers has been protesting against the Central govt`s decision to impose 40 per cent export duty on onion.

“There is a need to set up cold storages for onions. If this happens, there will be a permanent solution to the problems faced by farmers. The concerned department has been directed to work on two-three options to address this,” CM Shinde said.

Nashik, Ahmednagar and parts of Pune district form a major onion-producing belt in Maharashtra.

He further said, “The Maharashtra government is in touch with the Centre over the issue and has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. State Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde went to Delhi on Monday night to meet Goyal.”

(with inputs from PTI)

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