Talking to newsmen here on Sunday, Gidwani said that he had already submitted a memorandum in this regard to the chief minister, Narayan Rane and requested him to plead the case of Maharashtra before the central government. Copies of the letters were also sent to the Union Minister for Commerce, Ramkrishna Hegde and Minister of State for agriculture, Sompal.

He claimed that the chief minister had assured him to represent the case before the Union Govt soon to ensure that onion exports be allowed in the state.

The Union government had banned export of onions from the country till January 31 last due to exorbitant rise in prices in last quarter of 1998. "Now the situation has become normal and availability ofonions has substantially improved due to recent crop arrival and moreover the kharif crop will also be reaching market within the next one-two months", he pointed out.

In view of availability and reasonable prices of onions in the state, farmers in Maharashtra are pressing for both the union and state government to allow and encourage export of onions so that they get good prices.

Withdraw stir, Munde urges farmers

KARAD: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde today appealed to the onion growers and traders to withdraw their agitation since the Union Government has already decided to lift ban on the export of onion. Talking to mediapersons here, Munde consented to the fact that there is a bumper availability of the crop in new season, hence he was in favour of the demands of onion growers and traders and will pursue the Union Government to take required decision immediately in this regard. Meanwhile, Munde who also holds the Home portfolio was briefed on the tension in the town over aminor dispute between the two groups of college students. He called upon the people of the small village of Koregaon to maintain peace. The two groups of a college students had pelted stones over a petty issue on the annual cultural festival day and damaged property worth lakhs of Rupees. Four students have been arrested in this connection. Koregaon today observed bandh in protest against the clash.