The Government has increased the sugar stockholding limit for bulk consumers from fifteen to thirty days, subject to certain conditions. The move aims to provide greater operational flexibility to industrial consumers during the festival season.
The Government of India has announced an expansion in the sugar stockholding limit for bulk consumers. According to the new rule, the limit has been increased from fifteen to thirty days. However, this extension is contingent on the condition that any additional stock held beyond the initial limit must be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme and Tariff Rate Quota.
The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry stated that the stockholding limit for purchase from the open market will remain unchanged at fifteen days’ consumption. The decision follows detailed consultations with major bulk consumers of sugar.
During a joint meeting held today with representatives of ISMA, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories and sugar trade, the Secretary in Department of Food and Public Distribution underscored that the reduction in ex-mill prices has not yet been fully reflected in retail prices. The Government appealed to the sugar trade, wholesalers, and retailers to immediately pass on the benefit of the significant reduction in ex-mill sugar prices to consumers.
The Ministry said, the measure is intended to strike a balance between the interests of bulk consumers and the need to maintain stability in the domestic sugar market. It added that the move will provide greater operational flexibility to genuine industrial consumers during the upcoming festival season. The Government has also called upon the entire sugar value chain to collectively ensure that sugar and sugar-based products remain affordable and within the reach of consumers during the forthcoming festivals.
The Ministry emphasised that the Government has consistently worked to balance the interests of sugarcane farmers with the need to maintain stable and reasonable sugar prices for consumers. With the commencement of the new sugar season from the first of the next month, sugarcane farmers will receive the increased Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of 365 rupees per quintal. The Government has been increasing FRP every year to ensure remunerative returns to sugarcane farmers while maintaining balance in the sugar sector. The Ministry added that the Government will continue to closely monitor the availability and prices of sugar in the domestic market and take appropriate measures, to ensure adequate availability of sugar to consumers as well as the requirements of the food processing and other industries.
Source:
Akashvani News
