Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Kharge Targets Centre Over Sugar Shortage and Ethanol Policy
Mallikarjun Kharge says India is facing a shortage of sugar.
He says sugar stocks have fallen to a nine-year low.
He also says sugar prices have risen sharply in three months.
This is especially concerning before the festive season, when people usually buy more sugar.
Kharge asked why sugar exports were restricted.
He also questioned why 10 lakh tonnes of sugar were allowed to enter India without import duty.
He wants the government to review using sugarcane and grains to make ethanol for the E20 programme.
The government says ethanol blending can reduce crude oil imports, improve energy security and give farmers another market, but no direct government response to Kharge was included.
Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Narendra Modi government over declining sugar availability and rising prices before the festive season.
Kharge said India’s sugar stocks had fallen to a nine-year low despite the country being a major producer and exporter.
He questioned why sugar exports were restricted and 10 lakh tonnes were permitted to be imported duty-free.
Kharge claimed sugar prices had risen by nearly 40 per cent in three months.
He questioned whether sugarcane and grains should continue being diverted to ethanol production under the E20 programme amid domestic shortages.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, criticized the Narendra Modi government.
- What
- Kharge questioned low sugar stocks, rising prices, restricted exports, duty-free imports and the diversion of sugarcane and grains for ethanol production.
- When
- Saturday, ahead of the festive season.
- Where
- India; Kharge’s statement was reported from New Delhi.
- Why
- Kharge said the situation raised concerns about the Centre’s sugar-management and ethanol-blending policies.
Kharge’s criticism
Government policy rationale
Sugar availability and prices
Kharge’s criticism
Kharge argued that low sugar stocks and sharply higher prices show problems with the Centre’s sugar-management policies, especially before the festive season.
Government policy rationale
The report does not include a direct government response to Kharge’s criticism or an alternative explanation for the reported sugar shortage and price increase.
Use of sugarcane and grains
Kharge’s criticism
Kharge questioned why sugarcane and grains are still being diverted to ethanol production for E20 when India is importing sugar.
Government policy rationale
The government has promoted ethanol blending as a way to reduce crude oil imports, strengthen energy security and create an additional market for agricultural produce.
- Sugar stock level
- Kharge said sugar stocks were at a nine-year low.
- Price increase
- Kharge claimed sugar had become nearly 40 per cent more expensive in three months.
- Duty-free imports
- The government permitted 10 lakh tonnes of sugar to be imported duty-free, according to Kharge’s statement.
- Export restrictions
- Kharge questioned why sugar exports had been restricted.
- Ethanol programme
- The E20 programme envisages blending petrol with up to 20 per cent ethanol.
- Stated policy aims
- The government has promoted ethanol blending to reduce crude oil imports, strengthen energy security and provide an additional market for agricultural produce.
