The price of onion – which started to rise around mid-September has been given a further push with vendors at city markets choosing to ignore the prescribed price list.

At Beltola market, most of the vegetables were being sold at a price higher than that is scribbled on the board at the market. If some vegetables cost Rs 2 more, others were being sold at almost Rs 10 more than what the authorities had fixed.

Trade data showed retail onion prices ruling in the range of Rs 70-80 per kg in most parts of the country, depending on quality and region.

Vendors, however, argue that they were forced to increase the prices as the rates fixed by authorities were not fetching for them.

"We are paying good enough amount for vegetable arrivals and labour charges. The rates prescribed by the market committee will not get us even our investment," said a vendor.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday promised relief from the eye-watering price of onion in the national capital. Kejriwal said he will bring the price down to less than half of the inflated price at Rs. 23.90 per kg from Saturday.