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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO 372

ANSWERED ON 20.12.2011

BAN ON EXPORT OF SUGAR PULSES

372 . Shri RAM SUNDAR DAS

BRIJ BHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH

Will the Minister of

CONSUMER AFFAIRS,

FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has imposed a ban on the export of sugar and pulses;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any suggestions/ recommendations from the State Governments/experts have

been received in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the house.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 372 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 20.12.2011 IN LOK SABHA

(a) and (b) Sugar : No, Madam. At present, there is no ban on export of sugar. However, export of sugar is regulated through release order mechanism, except that 10,000 metric tons per annum of Organic Sugar is allowed without release orders.

Pulses:

Yes, Madam. Exports of pulses except kabuli chana and organic pulses upto 10,000 tonnes are

banned upto 31.03.2012. The ban was imposed to contain inflationary pressure by ensuring adequate domestic availability of pulses.

(c), (d) and (e) Sugar: Do not arise.

Pulses: There have been representations from organisations such as Association of Pulses Manufacturers-Exporters of India as well as some Dal Millers for lifting export ban on pulses and to permit raw pulses to be imported and then re-exported, after value addition, in the form

of processed dal.

Pulses are the major source of protein in the country. India being the largest consumer of the pulses in the world has to depend upon the imported pulses to bridge the gap between demand and supply in the domestic market. Imported Pulses are even supplied to some state Governments at subsidized rates for distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS) to ration card holders of Below Poverty Line. In such a scenario lifting the ban on export of pulses may not be desirable.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4171


ALLOCATION OF SUGAR

4171 .

Dr. SOLANKI KIRITBHAI PREMAJIBHAI

DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH


CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION


(a) the domestic demand and production of sugar in the country, State-wise;

(b) the quota of sugar allocated to the States, including Gujarat under the Public Distribution System (PDS) during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to increase the quota of sugar to the States including Gujarat; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to bring

down the retail prices of sugar in the country?ANSWER


(a): Based on the first advance estimates of sugarcane production released by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation in September, 2011, the production of sugar is provisionally estimated at about 246 lac tons as against the estimated domestic demand of about 220 lac tons in the country during the current sugar season 2011-12. Statement showing estimated

sugar production during 2011-12 sugar season by the sugar producing States is at Annexure - I.

(b): State-wise allocated quantities of levy sugar including Gujarat for distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS) during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure - II (c) No, Madam. (d) The prices of sugar in the domestic market depend upon various factors namely, quantum

of sugar produced, carried over stocks, domestic demand, international sugar prices and market sentiments etc. It is the endeavor of the Government to make adequate sugar available at reasonable price through the policy of regulated release mechanism.

ANNEXURE - I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4171 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 20-12-2011 IN THE LOK SABHA. Estimates of sugar production for the sugar season 2011-12.

( Quantity in lac tons)

Sl.

No.

State Estimates of Sugar Production

1 Andhra Pradesh 10.87

2 Bihar 3.76

3 Gujarat 13.04

4 Haryana 4.05

5 Karnataka 37.06

6 Maharashtra 85.78

7 Punjab 2.95

8 Tamilnadu 19.59

9 Uttar Pradesh 62.35

10 Uttarakhand 3.70

11 Others 3.50

TOTAL 246.65

ANNEXURE - II

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4171 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 20-12-2011 IN THE LOK SABHA. STATEMENT SHOWING STATEWISE LEVY SUGAR ALLOCATED UNDER PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PDS) DURING THE SUGAR SEASONS (OCTOBER – SEPTEMBER) 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 AND 2011-12.

( Qty. in `000` Tonnes)

S. No.

State/UTs. 2008-09* (including annual & special festival) quota

2009-10 (including annual festival) quota

2010-11 (including annual festival) quota

2011-12 (upto January, 2012) (including annual festival) quota (Provisional)

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 Andhra Pradesh 132.48 124.37 124.37 42.13

2 Arunachal Pradesh 11.29 10.29 10.27 3.44

3 Assam 233.26 224.38 224.52 76.05

4 Bihar 97.58 165.0 251.07 84.18

5 Chhatisgarh 59.92 55.26 56.28 12.35

6 Delhi 37.76 37.16 37.16 12.81

7 Goa 2.48 1.58 1.58 0.56

8 Gujarat 79.66 75.44 75.98 26.27

9 Haryana 33.64 32.08 32.06 11.99

10 Himachal Pradesh 59.62 57.07 57.08 18.87

11 Jharkhand 4.90 84.87 86.27 25.43

12 Jammu & Kashmir 91.57 88.04 87.80 29.42

13 Karnataka 115.89 109.66 109.70 37.47

14 Kerala 53.02 52.92 52.92 16.46

15 Madhya Pradesh 161.13 155.80 155.83 52.88

16 Maharashtra 189.45 176.37 176.43 60.35

17 Manipur 22.73 21.88 21.93 7.47

18 Meghalaya 21.76 20.96 20.96 7.13

19 Mizoram 8.65 8.35 8.24 2.83

20 Nagaland 15.14 14.64 14.64 4.95

21 Orissa 111.42 108.52 108.58 32.29

22 Punjab 21.70 20.87 20.86 7.36

23 Rajasthan 99.30 94.54 94.61 34.96

24 Sikkim 4.91 4.70 4.76 1.26

25 Tamil Nadu 146.44 140.14 133.37 46.54

26 Tripura 34.38 32.88 32.86 10.87

27 Uttar Pradesh 433.35 412.20 412.48 147.62

28 Uttarakhand 75.78 73.38 73.49 25.10

29 West Bengal 188.43 178.58 178.84 61.30

30 Andaman & Nicobar 4.74 4.77 4.74 2.37

31 Chandigarh 0.93 0.91 0.88 0.32

32 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 0.63 0.60 0.60 0.20

33 Daman & Diu 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.05

34 Lakshadweep 1.34 1.32 1.34 0.69

35 Puducherry 2.32 2.12 2.08 0.99

Total 2557.73 2591.77 2674.70 904.96

Note : Special festival quota was allocated to all States/UTs during sugar season 2008-2009 only.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA



INCENTIVE TO SUGARCANE FARMERS

1373 .

Smt. MEENA SINGH


AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is any proposal to provide incentive to the farmers growing sugarcane to increase the production; and

(b) if so, the details thereof ?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND

PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping Systems Areas (SUBACS) under Macro Management Mode of Agriculture in major sugarcane growing States to increase production of sugarcane. (b): Under the scheme, assistance is provided to States for transfer of technologies through demonstrations, training of farmers and extension workers as well as farmers- scientist-

interfaces, supply of critical inputs like farm Implements, planting materials, drip irrigation system etc. Funds are allocated and released to states in lump sum under Macro Management Mode of Agriculture. Besides this, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution is also providing loan to sugar factories for cane development covering the following activities (i) Setting up of heat treatment plants; (ii) rearing of nurseries; (iii) pest control measures; (iv)

incentives to cultivators to switch over to improved varieties of sugarcane; (v) irrigations schemes.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



IMPORT OF RAW SUGAR

1266 .

Shri SAMEER BHUJBAL



DISTRIBUTION


(a) the quantum of raw sugar imported into the country during the last two years and the current year;

(b) whether problems are being faced in processing of this sugar in some States including

Maharashtra;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken to sort out these issues; and

(d) the steps taken for improving the availability and controlling the prices of sugar?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a): The Central Government does not maintain data on import of raw and white/refined sugar

separately. However, it closely monitored import of raw and white/refined sugar separately during 2008-09 and 2009-10 sugar seasons when sugar production had declined considerably and the Government had allowed duty free import of raw sugar under Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) on `ton-to-ton` basis during the period 17.02.2009 to 30.09.2009 and under

Open General License (OGL) from 17.04.2009. As per data furnished by the Department of Revenue, the quantity of raw sugar imported into the country during 2008-09 and 2009-10 was

22.37 and 33.96 lakh tons (upto August, 2010) respectively. As regards 2010-2011 sugar season, the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (DGCIS) Kolkata put import of sugar(both raw & white/refined) 2.958 lakh tons upto July,2011. (b) No such problems have been reported to the Central Government this year. (c): Does not arise.

(d): It is the endeavor of the Government to make adequate sugar available in the country at reasonable price through the policy of regulated release mechanism.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



SUGAR EXPORT

1247 .

Shri MANISH TEWARI

K. JAYASURYA PRAKASH REDDY

RAJAIAH SIRICILLA



DISTRIBUTION


(a) the total estimated production of sugar during the marketing season, 2011-12 alongwith the total estimated demand in the country during the same period;

(b) whether the Government is contemplating export of sugar during the current year;

(c) the details thereof indicating the quantum proposed to be exported during the said period;

(d) whether the proposed export of sugar in the current year is likely to have an adverse

impact on domestic sugar prices which have already been rising during the last six months; and

(e) if so, the steps taken by the Government to maintain the availability and control the price of

sugar in the country?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a) Based on the first advance estimates of sugarcane production released by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation in September, 2011, the production of sugar is provisionally

estimated at about 246 lac tons as against the estimated domestic demand of about 220 lac tons in the country during the current sugar season 2011-12.

(b) & (c ) The Government has recently allowed export of sugar upto 10 lac tons during 2011-12 sugar season under Open General License (OGL). (d) & (e) The prices of sugar in the domestic market depend upon various factors namely, quantum of sugar produced, carried over stocks, domestic demand, international sugar prices and market sentiments etc. As such, it is not possible to indicate the impact of exports on

domestic prices. It is the endeavor of the Government to make adequate sugar available at reasonable price through the policy of regulated release mechanism.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



DEMAND FOR SUGAR EXPORT

1215 .

Shri GOVIND PRASAD MISHRA

SHRUTI CHOUDHRY

KAMLESH PASWAN



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether the sugar industry is facing a crisis due to increase in production cost of sugar;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has requested the Government to allow export to mitigate the problems of sugar industry;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(e) whether there is also a request to scrap the quota premium to make the sugar exports

competitive; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): No, Madam. (b): Does not arise.

(c) & (d): The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has represented for export of 30-40 lakh tons of sugar in 2011-12 sugar season. The Government has since considered their demand and allowed export of upto 10 lakh tons of sugar during 2011-12 sugar season under Open General License. (e): No Madam.

(f): Does not arise.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



SUGAR PRODUCTION

3150 Shri PREMDAS

RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH

PRABODH PANDA

MAGUNTA SRINIVASULU REDDY

KISHANBHAI VESTABHAI PATEL

ASADUDDIN OWAISI

HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE

JAYANT CHAUDHARY

RAMASHANKAR RAJBHAR

PRADEEP KUMAR MAJHI

SOLANKI KIRITBHAI PREMAJIBHAI

Will the Minister

of


DISTRIBUTION


(a) the policy followed by the Government to decide the level of sugar exports alongwith the estimated production and export of sugar during the ensuing sugar season;

(b) whether the sugar industry has requested the Government to deregulate the industry and

formulate a clear policy regarding export of sugar to improve its viability;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the cane arrears of the farmers are likely to rise due to the increase in production

cost, fall in sugar price and consequent losses to sugar mills; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to ensure clearance of sugarcane

dues?ANSWER


(a): The Central Government takes into account various factors like sugar stock with the mills, sugar production, demand in the season, global prices of sugar etc. to decide the level of sugar exports. At present, sugar production is estimated at about 246 lakh tons. Central Government has since approved export of upto 10 lakh tons of sugar during 2011-12 sugar season under Open General Licence. (b) & (c): Sugar Industry have represented through National Federation of Cooperative Sugar

Factories Ltd. and Indian Sugar Mills Association, the apex organisations of co-operative and

private sugar factories in the country respectively, on the issue of deregulation of sugar industry. Their demands interalia include doing away with levy obligation on sugar mills; dispensing with the release mechanism for sale of non-levy sugar; removal of sugar from the purview of Essential Commodities Act; and a stable export import policy regarding sugar. The Central Government has taken no decision on the demands of the sugar industry.

(d) & (e): Cane arrears are a result of various factors including sugarcane price, conversion costs, domestic and international price of sugar etc. It is the endeavour of the Central Government to maintain the price of sugar in the open market at reasonable levels which enables sugar mills to pay remunerative cane price to sugarcane farmers in time and is also fair to consumers, through the policy of regulated release mechanism by way of making judicious releases of monthly non-levy sugar quotas. As stated earlier, the Government has recently

announced export of 10 lakh MT of sugar during the current sugar season 2011-12, so as to increase the financial liquidity of the sugar mills to ensure clearance of sugarcane dues.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



DIVERSION OF LEVY SUGAR

3196 .

Shri PRABODH PANDA



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether there are reports of diversion of levy sugar released to the States for distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS);

(b) if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken to check such diversion;

(c) whether the Government has commissioned any study/survey in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a) and (b): The Central Government allocates levy sugar quota in favour of 25 States/ UTs which are called direct allottee States and in favour of Food Corporation of India (FCI) for all

North Eastern States (except Sikkim), the State of J&K and Island Territories of Andaman & Nicobar, and the UT of Lakshadweep which are called FCI operated States. The allocated levy sugar is lifted directly from the sugar mills by the allottee States/ UTs and by the FCI in respect of FCI operated States. The operational responsibility for distribution of levy sugar within the

States/ UTs, identification of eligible PDS beneficiaries and supervision and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) rest with the concerned State Governments/ UT

Administrations. As and when complaints are received by the Central Government from individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, they are sent to State/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. (c) and (d): Government has got the evaluation studies on functioning of TPDS. However, no specific study has been got conducted on the distribution of levy sugar in the TPDS.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



COMMITTEE ON SUGAR INDUSTRY

3019 .

Shri JAGDISH SINGH RANA



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether the Union Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to constitute a commission to look into the problems being faced by the sugarcane producers and the sugar

industry;

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a): No, Madam. (b): Does not arise.

(c): The Central Government takes necessary steps as and when any problem faced by the sugarcane producers and/or sugar industry comes to its notice.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



DUES AGAINST CLOSED SUGAR MILLS

3026 .

Shri BHOLA SINGH



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether any assessment has been made with regard to losses being suffered by sugarcane growers due to long pending dues/outstanding amount against the closed sugar mills;

(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(c) whether the concerned State Governments have made any request for funds to revive the closed sugar mills and pay the dues/outstanding amount of the sugarcane farmers;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?ANSWER


(a): No, Madam. (b): Does not arise

(c) to (e): The Central Government does not provide any funds for the revival of the closed

sugar mills. It is the responsibility of the entrepreneur concerned to take the steps to re-open/revive the closed sugar mills as far as private sector is concerned and the State Governments/UTs concerned in the case of the public and cooperative sugar mills.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



PROCUREMENT OF LEVY SUGAR

3038 .

Shri PRABODH PANDA



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether the Union Government proposes to allow the State Governments to procure levy sugar from the Mills directly;


(c) whether the said procurement would be undertaken by the States jointly with the Food Corporation of India; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a): Presently, the Central Government allocates levy sugar quota in favour of 25 states/ UTs

which are called direct-allottee states and in favour of Food Corporation of India (FCI) for all North-Eastern States (except Sikkim), the State of J&K and the Island Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and the UT of Lakshadweep which are called FCI operated States. The allocated levy sugar is lifted directly from the sugar mills by the direct-allottee states and by the FCI in

respect of FCI operated States. At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the Central Government to change the extant system of levy procurement.

(b),(c) & (d): Do not arise.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



SUGARCANE PRODUCTS

3092 .

Shri RAJIV RANJAN (LALAN) SINGH

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

N CHELUVARAYA SWAMY SWAMYGOWDA



DISTRIBUTION


(a) the number and percentage of sugar mills in the country that have started production of sugar during November 2011 alongwith the estimated production and demand of sugar during

the ensuing season;

(b) whether the Government maintains figures regarding the production of other products of

sugarcane including raw sugar, jaggery and molasses;

(c) if so, the details thereof indicating the production of the said commodities during the last

three years and the current year; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?ANSWER


(a) As per information received from the States, out of 667 installed sugar mills, 398 sugar mills i.e. 60% have commenced production of sugar upto November, 2011 in the country. Based on the first advance estimates released by the Department of Agriculture and

Cooperation in September, 2011, the production of sugar is provisionally estimated at about 246 lac tons as against the estimated demand of about 220 lac tons during the current sugar

season 2011-12. (b), (c) & (d) Earlier the Central Government did not maintain figures of raw sugar produced from the sugarcane which is meant either for direct exports or for further sale to domestic refineries for processing. Production of raw sugar is a new trend and the Government has since started maintaining its data with effect from the last sugar season i.e. 2010-11. Production of raw sugar is provisionally estimated at about 2.08 lac tons in 2010-11 season.

The main by-products in the process of manufacture of sugar by the sugar mills are molasses, bagasse and press mud. The production of molasses, bagasse and press mud varies in the range of 4.2% to 4.5%, 30% to 33% and 3% to 5% on cane crushed respectively. However, the details regarding the by-products, not being the commodities controlled by the Central Government, are not maintained. Similarly for jaggery, which is the product of mostly un-

organized sector, information is not centrally maintained.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



NEW SUGAR MILLS IN GUJARAT

3164 .

Smt. DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

VIKRAMBHAI ARJANBHAI MAADAM

JAT POONAMBEN VELJIBHAI

C. R. PATIL


CONSUMER AFFAIRS,



(a) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the State Government of

Gujarat to set up new sugar mills in the State;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Union Government to set up new sugar mills in

Gujarat?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a):- The Central Government has not received any proposal from the State Government of Gujarat to set up new sugar mill in the State.

(b):- Does not arise. (c):- Does not arise.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA



MERGER OF BASTI SUGAR MILLS

3471 .

SEEMA UPADHYAY


CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether permission for merger of Basti Sugar Mills into Phenil Sugars has been sought from the Delhi Stock Exchange;

(b) if so , the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has received complaints regarding transferring of the interests of share holder and several other irregularities arisen out of the said mergers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH) (a)&(b): The Transferor Company i.e. Basti Sugar Mill has complied with the requirements of clause 24(f) of the Listing Agreement of SEBI by writing a letter to the Delhi Stock Exchange before filing the Scheme to the Hon`ble High Court of Delhi.

(c)&(d): Regional Director (Northern Region) has received complaints from a CA on issues connected with the amalgamation proceedings pending before the Hon`ble Delhi High Court. The complainant has, inter alia, alleged filing of fabricated and false documents by the transferor company with Registrar of Companies (ROC), the conduct of affairs of the transferor

company in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the members and of the public, etc. The allegations are under examination by the ROC before filing an affidavit in the Delhi High Court.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



DISTANCE BETWEEN SUGAR MILLS

4251 Shri MANGANI LAL MANDAL

SADASHIVRAO DADOBA MANDLIK



DISTRIBUTION


(a) whether there is any stipulation/regulation regarding minimum distance between two sugar mills;


(c) whether there is any proposal to increase this distance;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government for setting up of new sugar mills in the country,

State-wise?ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS) (a) Yes Madam.

(b): Clause 6A of Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 provides that no new sugar factory shall be set up within the radius of 15 Kms of any existing sugar factory or another new sugar factory in a state or two or more states. However, the State Government may with the prior approval of the Central Government, where it considers necessary and expedient in

public interest, notify such minimum distance higher than 15 Kms or different minimum distances not less than 15 Kms for different regions in their respective State.

(c) & (d): There is no proposal under consideration of the Central Government to increase the minimum distance of 15 Kms. However, the State Governments may submit proposal for increasing the distance higher than 15 Kms. between any existing sugar factory or another new sugar factory to the Central Government. In the recent past, the proposals of Government of Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra for increasing the distance from 15 Kms to 25 Kms between any existing sugar factory or another new sugar factory have been approved by the Central Government due to reasons like decline in area under sugarcane,

increase in capacity of existing sugar mills, etc.,. (e): The Central Government does not set up sugar mills in any part of the country. After the delicensing of sugar industry w.e.f. 31.08.98, entrepreneurs are free to set up sugar

mill in any part of the country by fulfilling the conditions laid down in Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


LOK SABHA



AVAILABILITY OF SUGAR

4313 Shri SADASHIVRAO DADOBA MANDLIK

BRIJ BHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH

DINESH CHANDRA YADAV

HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

ANANTHA VENKATARAMI REDDY

A. GANESHAMURTHI

S. PAKKIRAPPA

P. C. MOHAN

WAKCHAURE BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM


CONSUMER AFFAIRS,



(a) whether the Government has made any estimates regarding the production and the demand of sugar in the country during the ensuing year; (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the carry over stock, estimated production and demand of sugar during the said period; (c) whether the Government is considering any proposal to allow export and impose import duty on sugar;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith its likely impact on the availability of sugar on the sugar industry in the country; and

(e) the steps taken to encourage production of sugarcane and sugar in the country?ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): Based on the first advance estimates of sugarcane production released by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation in September, 2011, production of sugar is provisionally estimated at about 246 lac tons as against the provisionally estimated demand of 220 lac tons during the current sugar season 2011-12. The carry over stock of last sugar season 2010- 11 is provisionally estimated at about 54.81 lac tons.

(c ) & (d): Taking into account the opening stock, likely sugar production and domestic demand, the Government has allowed export of sugar upto 10 lac tons during sugar season 2011-12 under Open General License (OGL). Currently, import of raw and white / refined sugar is fully exempted from customs duty till 31.03.2012. Presently, there is no proposal under consideration to impose customs duty on sugar.

(e): With a view to increase production of sugarcane and sugar in the country, the Central Government has taken the steps as detailed at Annexure.

government of india consumer affairs, food and … questions.pdf · consumer affairs, food and...

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