(a) the estimated opening stock of sugar as on 1st October, 2013;
(b) the likely sugar production and demand as per Government
and industry estimates during 2013-14 sugar season;
(c) whether the estimates indicate a need for import of
sugar to supplement the domestic availability during the said period;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) if not, the reasons for allowing sugar imports into the
country and causing loss of foreign exchange on imports?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): The opening stock of sugar with the sugar
mills as on 1st October, 2013 is provisionally estimated
to be around 85-90 lac tons.
(b): The production of sugar depends upon sugarcane production,
recovery and its availability to the sugar mills for crushing during
the season. First advance estimates of production for the year 2013-14
for kharif crops including sugarcane are yet to be released by the Department
of Agriculture and Cooperation. However, as per the reports received from
the Cane Commissioners of the major sugar producing States and the sugar
industry, production of sugar in the country is provisionally estimated
at about 235-237 lac tons against the provisionally estimated domestic
demand of 235 lac tons during 2013-14 sugar season.
(c ) & (d): With the sufficient carryover stocks and likely sugar
production during 2013-14 sugar season, there would be adequate stocks
of sugar to meet the domestic requirement.
(e): The Government has considered the request of the sugar industry and
increased the customs duty on import of sugar from 10 to 15 percent with
effect from 08.07.2013 to discourage imports.