The Centre has banned the export of all varieties of onion with immediate effect to check their increasing prices in the country. <br />'' <br />'' The Commerce Ministry has amended its export policy putting onion under prohibitory category till further orders. <br />'' <br />'' Earlier, the Centre had sent a team of two Joint Secretary-level officers to Maharashtra to talk to farmers, traders and transporters to assess availability of onions and persuade them to bring more onions to the market. The Centre is also sending onions to States on their demand.<br />'' <br />'' Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had asserted that the demand for any quantity will be fulfilled immediately.