India, Aug. 27 -- Amid criticism by opposition parties over rising prices of sugar ahead of festivals, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said it should in fact become very expensive, and added that people above 40 years of age should completely avoid its consumption.

Ninety per cent of the people do not like sweets these days, he said, adding that he himself does not eat such items. Talking to reporters here, the BJP leader claimed that the prices of sugar were steadily falling.

"Anyway, 90 per cent of people don't like sweets these days. Let me tell you, I don't eat sweets at all," he said.

In a lighter vein, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, "I say that (sugar) should become very expensive. (Sugar) shou...