Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said the Centre was taking several measures, including temporary imports of raw sugar, to address concerns over sugar availability and rising retail prices ahead of the festival season.
Joshi said sugar production had declined due to red rot disease and El Nino conditions, affecting agricultural output in India and globally.
Speaking to the media, Joshi said, "Because of the red rot disease, which was very unexpected, and El Nino, overall agricultural production, including sugar, has come down not only in India but globally...we are very concerned about it, which is why we have immediately taken several measures. India's requirement is around 280 lakh tonnes, and as of today...we have a surplus of more than 20 to 25 lakh tonnes."
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He said India's annual sugar requirement is around 280 lakh tonnes and the country currently has a surplus of more than 20-25 lakh tonnes.
"Import measures are being taken as the festival season is approaching, and there are many major festivals...we have already taken many measures, including raw sugar imports as a temporary measure," he further said.
The assurance comes amid a recent rise in retail sugar prices. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday said retail sugar prices increased from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70 per kg on August 20, attributing the rise to a combination of factors.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said that farmers are not being paid promptly for the sugarcane they supply.
He further alleged that India, which previously exported sugar, is now importing it for the first time.
"... There is a Sugar Control Order in the country, and we determine sugar prices... You do not pay farmers for the sugarcane they sell for up to a year; why would they cultivate it? We used to export sugar, but for the first time, sugar is being imported," he told reporters.
