Govt for import of raw sugar to keep prices under check

New Delhi, July 21: Apprehending that sugar price may go up during the festival season (Diwali) due to lower production of sugar and sugarcane, the government today said in the Lok Sabha that it has allowed companies to import raw sugar and process it here to increase availability.

“This year sugar as well as sugarcane production is less and that is why sugar prices are going up to Rs 25-26 a kg or even Rs 27 in the domestic market. Around Diwali it may go up even further,” Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said during the Question Hour.

The way out was to increase the domestic availability either by importing sugar directly or importing raw sugar and processing it here.

—Agencies