(a) whether the Government has issued notification to State Governments in India to keep the sugar and other foodgrains stock holding to 17 per cent of 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) if so, the Government’s stand in this regard?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)
(a) & b): In view of surplus stocks of sugar in the country, the Government has imposed stock holding limits on sugar mills w.e.f. June, 2018 to prevent over supply of sugar in the domestic market, to stabilize domestic price of sugar and to maintain demand-supply balance. This ensures a level playing field to all the sugar mills in the country. No stock holding to 17 per cent of total production on foodgrains are placed.
(c) & d): Yes, Sir. A request was received from the Government of Tamil Nadu to exempt sugar mills in Tamil Nadu from monthly stock holding limit. The limits of sales/dispatch of all sugar mills are determined on the basis of well-defined and uniform criteria so that interest of all the sugar mills in the country are protected. As such, any special dispensation to sugar mills in Tamil Nadu does not appear feasible.
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