1 week ago
Haryana Congress Flags Sharp Rise in Sugar Prices
Haryana Congress leader Rao Narender Singh said sugar and jaggery have become much more expensive.
He said this could make life harder for ordinary families.
He also warned that using crops to make ethanol fuel might leave less food available.
Higher prices for maize and rice could also increase the cost of animal and poultry feed.
That could eventually make milk and eggs more expensive.
The central government disagreed that ethanol production was causing the sugar-price rise.
It said India had enough sugar and accused some companies of increasing prices.
The government asked States to stop hoarding and illegal selling, while fuel companies said ethanol-blended petrol is safe and useful.
Haryana Congress chief Rao Narender Singh called the recent rise in sugar and jaggery prices a serious concern for consumers.
Singh claimed sugar prices rose nearly 40% to about Rs 67 per kg, while jaggery increased nearly 24% to about Rs 65 per kg.
He linked possible food-price pressures to demand for maize, rice and sugarcane used in ethanol production.
The Centre rejected claims that ethanol diversion caused the sugar-price increase and blamed industry price hikes despite sufficient domestic stocks.
The Centre urged States to act against hoarding and black marketing and prepare for an early sugarcane-crushing season.
- Who
- Rao Narender Singh, Haryana Congress chief; the Central Government; and industry executives.
- What
- A dispute over rising sugar and jaggery prices, ethanol production, food security and E20 petrol policy.
- Where
- Chandigarh, Haryana, and India’s national food and fuel markets.
- When
- August 23; the Centre’s rejection of the ethanol-related price claim was reported on the preceding Friday.
- Why
- Congress sought explanations and transparency over price increases and sugar policy, while the Centre attributed the increase to industry pricing and proposed action against hoarding and black marketing.
Congress Concerns
Government and Industry Response
Cause of higher sugar prices
Congress Concerns
Rao Narender Singh said the government must explain the sharp rise and warned that diverting agricultural produce, including sugarcane, toward ethanol could pressure food availability and prices.
Government and Industry Response
The Centre rejected the ethanol explanation, saying domestic sugar stocks were sufficient and blaming the industry for increasing prices.
Sugar policy and imports
Congress Concerns
Singh questioned why India, once a major sugar exporter, now needed to import sugar and demanded clarity on the country’s sugar policy.
Government and Industry Response
The Centre focused on action against hoarding and black marketing and on bringing forward the sugarcane-crushing season.
E20 petrol
Congress Concerns
Congress raised concerns about mileage, engine compatibility, consumer costs and the effects on older vehicles, arguing that fuel policy should not impose an additional burden.
Government and Industry Response
Industry executives said ethanol-blended petrol had undergone rigorous scientific testing, was safe for new and older vehicles, and was important for reducing dependence on imported crude oil.
Key facts
- Sugar price claim
- Rao Narender Singh said sugar prices rose nearly 40% to around Rs 67 per kg.
- Jaggery price claim
- Singh said jaggery prices rose nearly 24% to around Rs 65 per kg.
- Congress demand
- The Haryana Congress chief demanded publicly available, transparent data explaining the price increases.
- Centre’s position
- The Centre rejected claims that sugar diversion for ethanol production was driving the price rise.
- Government action
- The Centre asked States to act against hoarding and black marketing and prepare for an early crushing season around October 15.
- E20 concerns
- Congress cited lower mileage, compatibility risks and reduced consumer choice regarding petrol blended with 20% ethanol.
- Industry response
- Industry executives said ethanol-blended petrol underwent rigorous testing, is safe for new and older vehicles, and can reduce reliance on imported crude oil.
Quotes
Rao Narender Singh
Haryana Congress chief and Congress state president
“The impact is not limited to household kitchens. Rising prices of animal feed and poultry feed increase the input costs of farmers and livestock owners, ultimately affecting the prices of milk, eggs and other food products”
theprint.in
“When a significant share of agricultural produce is diverted towards fuel production, availability for food consumption can come under pressure, naturally affecting prices”
theprint.in
Sources
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