Question : SCARCITY OF SUGAR



(a) whether there is scarcity of sugar in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith reasons therefor; and

(c) the details of the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to make the country self-reliant in sugar?

Answer given by the minister

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

(a) & (b) No, Sir.

(c) As against the requirement of sugar of 155.36 lakh tonnes during the season 1999-2000 (Oct.-Sept.), the production of sugar in the country was 181.41 lakh tonnes. The Sugar season 2000-2001 has commenced with a carry over stock of 92.97 lakh tones. The production in the current season is anticipated at the level of about 181 lakh tonnes meaning thereby that the total availability of sugar during the current season would be 273.97 lakh tonnes as against the anticipated annual internal requirement of 162.13 lakh tones.