New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- The Congress on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of "mishandling" sugar supplies, alleging that rising prices have caused a Rs 36,000 crore loss to consumers in four months and calling it a "scam" that benefited hoarders and profiteers ahead of the festive season.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said sugar prices had risen from Rs 45 to Rs 70-75 per kg, adding to household expenses during Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri and Diwali.
"The government knew by April that a sugar shortage was imminent, yet took no preventive measures," Surjewala said, citing Indian Sugar Mills Association data showing production at 27.5 million tonnes against the government's estimate of 34.3 million tonnes. He criticised the Centre's August decision to allow duty-free imports of raw sugar, saying Brazilian supplies would reach the market only in November, after the major festivals. "The entire gain goes to speculators while the common man pays the price," he alleged. Surjewala also blamed the E-20 policy for reducing sugar availability, claiming 32 per cent of sugarcane complexes were diverted towards fuel production between November 2025 and July 2026.
He further criticised the scrapping of the subsidised sugar scheme under the Public Distribution System in 2017, under which beneficiaries received 500 grams per person monthly at Rs 13.50 per kg.
The Congress alleged that delayed farmer payments and mill mismanagement were discouraging sugarcane cultivation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.