TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi-Asking sugar mills to keep prices under control, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the government is keeping a close watch and will take necessary action if rates rise from the current level. He said there is adequate availability of sweetener in the country and the prices should not rise further from the current level.
“We are keeping a close eye on sugar prices. If prices rise further, the government will take necessary measures,” Paswan told reporters here. “I appeal to all sugar mills to keep sugar prices stable,” he said. Sugar prices are currently ruling at near Rs 42 per kg in the retail market of the national capital.
Paswan said the government had taken various measures to support sugar industry in clearing cane arrears that crossed Rs 20,000 crore last year. For the current 2015-16 marketing year, sugar mills owed Rs 5,368 crore to cane farmers at the end of last month. Paswan further said the liquidity position of sugar mills has now improved and cane arrears have reduced significantly on the back of increase in sugar prices.
