(a) whether some cases of illegal purchase of sugarcane by mills have come to the notice of the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and mill-wise;
(c) whether any raids have been conducted to verify the stocks of sugar held by the mills; and
(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, mill-wise?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) and (b): Clause 6 of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 confers powers on the Central Government to
regulate distribution and movement of sugarcane. Sub-clause (1)(a) of clause 6 of the Order provides that
the Central Government may reserve any area where sugarcane is grown for a sugar factory having regard to
the factors mentioned therein. This power has been delegated to the State Governments. The Cane Commissioner,
Government of U.P. has reported illegal purchase of sugarcane by some sugar mills in the State. The Cane
Commissioner, Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that some cases of illegal purchase of sugarcane
have come to the notice by sugar factories within Andhra Pradesh and sugar factories situated in adjoining
States of Karnataka and Maharashtra. The state-wise and mill-wise details are enclosed at Annexure I. The
Cane Commissioner, Government of Karnataka has reported that M/s Indian Sugar Mills and Refineries Ltd. has
obtained orders from the High Court of Karnataka and Supreme Court of India against the illegal transportation
of sugarcane from the reserved area of their factory. The matter is sub-judice. The Cane Commissioners of
Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashstra and Tamil Nadu have reported that no case of illegal purchase of sugarcane
by sugar mills has come to their notice.
(c) and (d): The Cane Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh has reported that while verifying the stocks
of six sugar mills, they have observed irregularities in case of five sugar mills and action under relevant
provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 has been taken against defaulting mills. The list of these
sugar mills is at Annexure-II.