New Delhi: The Indian government has disbursed Rs 15,948 crore to sugar mills over the past five years to improve their liquidity and help clear farmers’ cane dues, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel informed Parliament on Friday.
Patel outlined a series of schemes implemented since 2018 to support sugar mills, including buffer stock creation, export subsidies, and assistance with marketing costs. “These initiatives have injected much-needed cash into the industry, benefiting both mills and farmers,” she said.
The outlined schemes encompassed the establishment and maintenance of a buffer stock of 3 million tonnes of sugar, effective from July 2018 to June 30, 2019. Additionally, there was a scheme to cover expenses related to internal transport, freight, handling, and other charges for the export of sugar during the 2018-19 season. Assistance to sugar mills for the 2019-20 season to facilitate sugar exports was also part of the initiatives. Furthermore, a scheme was introduced to provide support to sugar mills for costs associated with marketing, including handling, upgrading, processing, internal transport, and freight charges for the 2020-21, 2019-20, and 2018-19 sugar seasons.
Responding to queries in the Rajya Sabha, Patel stated, “Approximately Rs 15,948 crore has been disbursed to various sugar mills across the country in the last five financial years, including the ongoing financial year, up to January 31, 2024.” She noted that sugar exports (raw, refined, and white sugar) have been classified as restricted.
