Question : MODERNISATION OF SUGAR INDUSTRY



(a) the present status of the sugar industry in the country, State-wise; and

(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken for the healthy growth and modernization of sugar industry in the country?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI V. SREENIVASA PRASAD )

(a) As on 30.9.2000, the State-wise number of sugar mills installed in Public, Private and Cooperative Sectors is in the ANNEXURE. The total production of sugar in the country has gone up to 181.41 lakh tonnes (provisional) during 1999-2000 sugar season as compared to 155.20 lakh tonnes during 1998-99 sugar season.

(b) Loans for modernization/ rehabilitation are provided to the sugar mills at a concessional rate of interest from the Sugar Development Fund (SDF).

Besides, the following steps have been taken by the Government for improving the viability of the sugar industry in the country :-

i) The ratio of levy to free sale sugar has been changed from 40:60 to 30:70 with effect from 1.1.2000;

ii) Duty on imported sugar has been raised to 60% with effect from 9.2.2000 so as to restrict the flow of imported sugar;

iii) The imported sugar has been brought under the release mechanism;

iv) Levy @ 30% on the stocks of imported sugar held by the importers has been imposed with effect from 17.2.2000;

v) 10 lakh tonnes of sugar has been allowed for export.

ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 955 FOR ANSWER IN THE LOK SABHA ON 24-11-2000.

State-wise number of sugar mills installed as on 30.9.2000 and sugar mills operated during the sugar season 1999-2000.

S. No. & State	Total number of installed	Number of sugar mills	sugar mills	which operated during	1999-2000 sugar season.	Pub. Pvt. Coop.	Total Total
1. Punjab 6 16 22 21

2. Haryana 3 10 13 13

3. Rajasthan 1 1 1 3 2

4. Uttar Pradesh 35 61 32 128 109

5. Madhya Pradesh 2 4 3 9 7 6. Gujarat 22 22 18

7 Maharashtra 6 128 134 124

8. Bihar 15 13 28 10

9. Assam 1 2 3 1 10. Orissa 4 4 8 7 11. West Bengal 1 1 2 2 12. Nagaland 1 1 13. Andhra Pradesh 6 17 18 41 35 14. Karnataka 15 37 34 15. Tamilnadu 3 19 15 37 37 16. Pondicherry 1 1 2 2 17. Kerala 1 1 2 1 18. Goa 1 1 1
Total : 67 153 273 493 424