The government has extended the ban on export of Onion beyond 15th of January and abolished Customs Duty on its imports to bring down the soaring prices. Briefing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said that the heads of the state trading corporations have been asked to look into the availability of onion.To ensure availability of Onion, the states have been asked to allow free movement of the commodity from the mandis. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rajiv Aggarwal said that states have also been asked to intervene to bring down the prices. He added that the measures initiated by the government have started showing results and the prices of onion have come down in the wholesale market. These prices, he added, will reflect in the retail market within two days. Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar has asked Commerce Ministry to expedite the import of onion to bridge the demand-supply gap. He has convened a high-level meeting today to take stock of the situation. Earlier, in the day, Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla said that import duty on onion has been brought down from five to zero per cent. Railways have set up a special cell to monitor and supervise the movement of onion by rail. Zonal railways have also been instructed to make sufficient wagons and rakes available for the purpose. According to a press release issued by Railways, the Ministry has decided to work with all concerned departments to help ease current onion crisis. Nafed and NCCF have started selling onion at 40 rupees per kg through their 25 stores in the national capital. Delhi government will sell onions at 39 to 41 rupees per kg at 480 outlets across the city from either today or tomorrow. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf said the government has already placed orders for procurement of onions for selling at outlets across the city including Mother Dairy stores and Kendriya Bhandars.Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has said that the Prime Minister is taking steps to bring down the prices of onion. He said this while interacting with state young Congress functionaries at Vanagaram on the outskirts of Chennai yesterday.