Govt considering lifting restrictions on sugar with producers

Baramati, Mar 11 (UNI) The Centre is considering removing restrictions on sale of sugar, lying with producers outside the government release order, thereby enabling them to sell it in the export markets, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said.

''We may take a decision in the next ten days'', he told reporters here.

Stating that presently the domestic demand of sugar is 18 million tonnes per annum, he disclosed that there was an additional 40,000 tonnes carry-over stock from last year.

'' Presently, sugar sale is allowed under a government release order and the seller can only sell the stipulated amount under the release order. He may have stocks lying idle in the godown which he cannot sell. After this rule change, such stocks lying in the godown can be exported,'' Mr Pawar said.

On wheat, the minister said that sufficient stocks existed as of now, but if there was an emergency, then the present stocks would not suffice. ''Buffer stock is not adequate,'' he said.

Mr Pawar said that there was a strong possibility of exporting mangoes to the US this season onwards and that in March, April and May, plans were being formalised to export the 'alphonso' mango and other varieties later in June and July.

''Andhra Pradesh mangoes will be exported from next year onwards'', he said, adding that there was a tremendous export potential for the fruit, particularly in US and Japan.

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