Overview
- Shiv Sena (UBT) workers blocked the Samruddhi Expressway in Vaijapur on Monday, and police detained leader Ambadas Danve before clearing traffic.
- The Centre’s plan announced Friday to buy 2 lakh tonnes at Rs 12.35 a kg through NAFED and NCCF has resulted in only a little over 400 quintals purchased so far.
- Procurement agents are taking mainly top-grade onions and require farmer registration, which growers say steers them back to mandis where the best lots can fetch Rs 1,400–1,500 a quintal.
- Wholesale prices at Lasalgaon, the benchmark market, stayed near Rs 800–1,100 a quintal on Monday as bumper arrivals, weak export demand tied to the West Asia conflict and March rains kept supplies heavy.
- Farmer groups and opposition leaders demanded far higher support—up to Rs 3,500 a quintal MSP and Rs 1,500 compensation—with NCP’s Rohit Pawar seeking Rs 25 a kg and warning of a May 26 highway blockade if demands go unmet.