(a) whether the Government has issued any notification to the State Governments to keep the sugar stock holding to 17 per cent of the total production;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received any request from Tamil Nadu to provide exemption for Tamil Nadu in this regard; and
(d) the Government’s stand in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b) :Central Government has directed the sugar mills to maintain sugar stocks for the months of February and March, 2018 as per the following:
(i) February, 2018: Not less than 83% of the closing stock as on the last date of January, 2018 + the sugar produced during the month of February, 2018- sugar exported during the month of February, 2018.
(ii) March, 2018: Not less than 86% of the closing stock as on the last date of February, 2018 + the sugar produced during the month of March, 2018- sugar exported during the month of March, 2018.
This was done to maintain demand and supply balance of sugar in order to keep the ex-mill price of sugar stable at reasonable level enabling the sugar mills to clear cane price dues of farmers in time.
(c) & (d): A representation has been received from Government of Tamil Nadu seeking exemption for cooperative and public sector sugar mills of the State from stock limits imposed by Central Government. Since, any relaxation to the cooperative and public sector sugar mills of Tamil Nadu may again dampen the price sentiments which are detrimental in the interest of farmers, the request of State Government has not been acceded.
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