In a order issued on August 30, the food ministry allocated a monthly sugar quota of 23.5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for September 2024 to 573 mills, which is lower than the quantity allocated in September 2023.
For September 2023, the government had released a quota of 25 LMT, and for August 2024, the quota was set at 22 LMT. Additionally, the validity of the sugar sales under the monthly quota for July 2024 was extended to August 15, 2024. The allocated sugar quota for domestic sale in July 2024 was 24 LMT.
The government has taken action against sugar mills for violating stockholding limit orders and selling in excess of their release quota. As a result, the quota for around 134 sugar mills for September 2024 has been reduced.
DFPD also directed sugar mills to ensure the compliance of mandatory packaging of 20% of sugar in jute bags under Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987 and submit the information thereof in P-Il proforma on NSWs portal. Any violation of this order would attract the penal provisions under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, as amended from time to time.