(a) whether sugar was imported during the last three years; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the quantum and the landing price of sugar imported during the said period?
(a) whether sugar was imported during the last three years; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the quantum and the landing price of sugar imported during the said period?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a)&(b): There has been no import of sugar on Government account during the last three
years. However, in order to augment sugar stocks for 2004-05 and enable the Government to meet
the normative 3 months’ consumption requirement of the country, the Advance Licence Scheme was
liberalized for raw sugar import, in as much as the imported raw sugar under Advance Licence
could be processed into white sugar, sold in the domestic market, and such importers were
allowed to fulfill export obligation within 24 months period or such extended period as
allowed by DGFT by exporting indigenously manufactured white sugar. This policy remained in
vogue from 21.09.2004 to 15.04.2008.
The sugar production in the current sugar season 2008-09 is provisionally estimated in the
range of 150-155 lakh tons as against estimated consumption of 225 lakh tons and the Central
Government, with a view to augment domestic availability of sugar, has permitted import of
raw sugar by sugar mills under Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) at zero duty upto 30.09.2009,
and under Open General License (OGL) upto 01.08.2009 and import of white/refined sugar by
STC/MMTC/PEC and NAFED upto 1 million tons at zero customs duty under Open General License
(OGL).
The import of sugar during financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08 was as under:
Financial year Quantity(in lakh MTs) CIF Value (Rs/Crores)
2005-06 5.59 651.80 2006-07 0.01 3.48 2007-08 0.005 2.29