The discussion on onion crisis in the Andhra Pradesh state assembly has thrown up an interesting debate on some other topic: sale of onions in Heritage Fresh.
YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that his government was making available onions at Rs 25 a kg in all the agriculture market yards and Rythu Bazars.
He sought to know whether Naidu was selling onions at the same rate in his family concern Heritage Fresh. He pointed out that the price of onions at Heritage Fresh shops was Rs 200 per kg.
Refuting Jagan’s allegations, Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu explained that he or his family had nothing to do with Heritage Fresh now.
“The retail business of Heritage Group – including Heritage Fresh has been sold to Future Group, three years ago. We only own Heritage Foods now which do not deal with onions or any grocery item for that matter. The chief minister and his team should learn the difference between Heritage Fresh and Heritage Foods,” he said.
He challenged that he would resign from his MLA seat if the government proved that Heritage Fresh belonged to him or his family.
“Otherwise, will Jagan be ready for stepping down?” he asked.
However, finance minister Buggana Rajendranath read out from a financial daily that the Future Retail had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the retail, agriculture, and bakery businesses of Heritage Foods.
“This is true. But at the same time, the news report also said Heritage Foods, owned by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, will get 3.65% stake in Future Retail worth of Rs 295 crore. It clearly shows that Naidu and his family are still part of the Heritage Foods,” he pointed out.
So, if Heritage Foods makes profits from sale of onions at high rates, Naidu also would get a share in the profits. So, how can he deny his responsibility in the sale of onions at Rs 200 a kg in Heritage Foods?
