New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- With sugar prices having surged earlier this year, the Centre has further tightened stockholding limits for dealers as the new sugar season begins and India enters its peak festive season. The government said the move is to ensure adequate availability of sugar to consumers at reasonable prices during the festive season. From October 15, sugar dealers will not be allowed to hold stocks for more than 15 days or keep more than 1,000 quintals at any location, a food ministry statement said on Thursday. The limits will remain in force until November 30. The government, the release said, made an exception for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and Assam, where dealers will be allowed to hold up to 2,000 quintals, citing the region's supply requirements and logistical constraints. "The move comes even though retail sugar prices have already fallen 15% from their August peak, while ex-mill prices - the price at which sugar mills sell to bulk buyers before further distribution - have declined by about 28%," according to the ministry.htc...