New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- The Centre on Friday, August 21, dismissed claims that sugar diversion for ethanol was behind the sweetener's sharp price rise, instead accusing mills of hiking rates despite adequate stock to meet domestic demand. States have been told to act against hoarding and black marketing, and to prepare for an early start to crushing by around October 15.

Govt cracks down on price hikes

Briefing the media, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said the government has allowed duty-free imports of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar by October 31 and imposed stock-holding limits on dealers and bulk consumers such as soft-drink and ice-cream makers. He said sugar stocks remain ample despite production falling to 306 lakh tonnes for 2025-26, down...