New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Following discussions with the Centre, sugar mills will begin crushing sugarcane 10-15 days earlier than usual in the 2026-27 sugar season to bring fresh sugar into the market ahead of the festive season, according to a letter issued by the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF) to the department of food and public distribution on Thursday. The industry has, however, sought government support-including compensation for lower sugar recovery, a temporary waiver of the Centre's share of Central GST and a higher domestic sales quota-to offset losses from processing immature cane, saying mills were undertaking early crushing "in larger...