🔴 By | Arvind Jadhav
New Delhi | The Central Government has assured consumers that there is no shortage of sugar in the country and that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure adequate supplies at reasonable prices, particularly ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
The assurance comes amid a recent rise in sugar prices. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, ex-mill sugar prices have declined by around 20 per cent in recent days, while retail prices have also started moving downward.
🟡 Physical Verification Confirms Adequate Stocks
The Government said a nationwide physical verification of sugar stocks at mills has confirmed comfortable availability across the country. In several cases, mills were found to be holding stocks higher than the quantities declared in their monthly returns.
The verification has established that there is no shortage of sugar, and the Government has advised consumers against panic buying or excessive stocking.
Officials have also identified instances of mills selling less sugar than their allocated quota, a practice that can unnecessarily restrict market supplies despite adequate physical stocks.
🟡 Fortnightly Sugar Allocation from September
To improve the movement of sugar from mills to the domestic market, the Government will introduce a fortnightly sugar allocation system from September, replacing the existing monthly quota arrangement.
Under the new system, sugar mills will be required to sell at least 40 per cent of their allocation during the first week, with the remaining quantity to be sold in the succeeding week.
The move is aimed at allowing authorities to monitor demand and supply more closely, respond quickly to market conditions and prevent artificial tightening of supplies.
🟡 Mills Directed to Dispatch Sugar Within Seven Days
The Government has also directed sugar mills to ensure that sugar sold is dispatched from the mill within seven days of sale.
The measure is intended to speed up the movement of sugar from mills to dealers and ultimately consumers, while discouraging unnecessary accumulation and speculative holding of stocks.
Bulk consumers have also been advised not to hold sugar stocks beyond their operational requirements.
🟡 New Sugar Season Expected to Boost Supply
The upcoming sugar season is expected to further strengthen domestic availability. Sugarcane crushing for the new season is scheduled to begin from October 15, with more than 10 lakh tonnes of sugar production expected during October.
The Government has also permitted mills to sell sugar produced during October without restriction so that new-season sugar can reach the domestic market at the earliest. Production is expected to rise to around 45 lakh tonnes in November, adding substantially to domestic supplies.
🟡 Government Message to Consumers
The Centre has reiterated that consumers need not panic over sugar availability or engage in excessive purchases. With stocks being monitored, market movement being tightened and fresh production expected from the new season, the Government says adequate sugar will remain available across the country at reasonable prices.
The latest measures are particularly significant ahead of the festive season, when household and commercial demand for sugar traditionally increases.
