Question : METHODS OF SUGAR ANALYSIS

(a) whether the 42 Nation International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis was held in Pune recently for the first time in Asia;

(b) if so, the details of the issues discussed and new methods for sugar technology adopted;

(c) whether India`s competitiveness in sugar sector has come down during the last three years;

(d) if so, the main reasons therefor;

(e) whether position likely to improve after providing new transport allowance to Indian sugar exporters;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the steps taken by the Government to improve its position in the international market?

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

(a): The 23rd Session of International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) was held for the first time in Asia at Pune from 3rd to 5th June, 2002.

(b): The following subjects were discussed in the 23rd Session:-

GS1 - Raw Sugar; GS2- White Sugar, GS-3 - Speciality Sugar; GS4 - Molasses; GS5 - Cane; GS6 - Beet; GS7 - Cane Sugar Processing; GS8 - Beet Sugar Processing; GS9 - Starch Derived Sweetners; S1 - Constitution & By-Laws; S2 - Oligosaccharides & Polysaccharides; S3 - Method Format Collaborative Testing & Statistical Treatment of Data; S4 - Density, Optical Rotation & Refractive Index; S5 - Dry Substance; S6 - Indirect Method of Analysis; S7 - Colour, Turbidity & Reflectance Measurement; S8 - Chromatographic Techniques for Sugars; S9 - Chromatographic Techniques for Non-Sugars; S10 - Enzymatic & Immunological Methods; S11 - Rheology; S12 - Microbiology; S13 - Reducing Sugars; S14 - Ash.

(c)&(d): In the last 3 sugar seasons, exports of sugar have increased. However, the quantum of export of sugar depends upon various factors including the international prices and the quality of sugar.

(e),(f)&(g): The Government has amended the Sugar Development Fund Act, 1982 to enable it, inter alia, to utilize the Sugar Development Fund for defraying expenditure on internal transport and freight charges to the sugar factories on export shipments of sugar. It is expected that the export of sugar will get a further boost with this facility provided by the Government. Further, the following measures have also been taken by the Government in this regard:-


(i) The quantitative restriction on export of sugar fixed earlier has been removed.

(ii) The sugar meant for export has been exempted from the levy obligation.

(iii) The quantity of sugar released for export is treated as advance free sale release to be adjusted in the free sale stocks of the sugar factories after a period of 18 months.

(iv) DEPB at the rate of 4% of the F.O.B. value of export of sugar has been allowed.