In a order released on September 30, the Food Ministry allocated a monthly sugar quota of 25.5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for October 2024 to 573 sugar mills, which is lower than the quantity allocated in October 2023.
In October 2023, the government allocated a sugar quota of 29 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in tranches. In the first and second tranches, 28 LMT was allocated, with an additional 1 LMT, bringing the total to 29 LMT.
For September 2024, the government allocated a sugar quota of 23.5 LMT.
According to market experts, “Considering the upcoming festivals, the government has allocated a sugar quota of 25.5 LMT. The government is taking steps to ensure stable sugar prices.”
According to the DFPD, it has been observed that some of sugar mills have violated the stockholding limits and sold the sugar in excess to their release quota for the month of July, 2024. Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) read with clause 4 and 5 of the Sugar (Control) Order, 1966 and Order of the Government of India, Department of Food & Public Distribution vide S.O. No. 2347(E) dated 07.06.2018, it has been decided to deduct excess quantity of sugar sold during July-2024 from release quota of October- 2024. Considering the less utilization of quota in July-2024 due to heavy rains and Kawad yatra and extension given upto 15 August 2024, it has been decided to exempt from deduction against violation in terms of dispatch below 90% of quota in the month of July-2024.
