Lucknow, January 15: A day after the Centre relaxed norms to allow mills to process imported raw sugar and suggested that the Uttar Pradesh government’s policy was to blame for the high sugar prices, Chief Minister Mayawati hit back, saying it was wrong to fault the states since the UPA government was working “under the influence of capitalists” and was helping “black marketeers and hoarders”.
Mayawati told reporters that her government would not allow mills in the state to process imported raw sugar despite Central requests. “Till the time all cane is crushed, the UP government will not allow processing of raw sugar by mills in the state.”
Around 9 lakh tonnes of imported raw sugar is lying at different ports since UP mills are not allowed by the state government to process it. Mayawati justified her stand, saying the measure was taken in the larger interest of cane growers.
She alleged that the Centre was solely responsible for rising sugar prices. “The Centre did not create a buffer stock in 2006-07 and 2007-08 when production was at its peak. Without assessing the requirement, it allowed exports at minimum prices. As a result, people are forced to buy sugar at prices three times higher,” she said.
Mayawati threatened a nationwide campaign if immediate steps were not taken to curb price rise. “It is clear that the Centre is working under the influence and pressure of capitalists.”
“The prices are soaring mainly because of the defective economic, import and export policies of the Centre,” she said, adding that rather than blaming the states, the Centre should change its policies.
—Agencies