Lok Sabha Question No. 2067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Payment of Sugarcane Dues
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, SATYA PAL SINGH, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2067 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2017

## PAYMENT OF SUGARCANE DUES

2067. SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE: SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: DR. SATYAPAL SINGH: SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  both  the  profits  of  the  sugar  mills  and  their  dues  to  farmers  have  increased across the country during the financial year 2016-17, if so, the details thereof, Sugar Mill-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  enquiry  in  this  regard,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  timely  payment  to  sugarcane farmers for their produce;
- (d) whether  the  country's  sugar  deficit  has  widen  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof    and  the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken any steps for increasing the sugar production and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

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- (a) & (b): The Government does not maintain data on profit and loss of sugar mills in the country. However, due to several measures taken by the Government, the liquidity position of the industry has  improved  facilitating  clearance  of  cane  price  arrears.  As  per  data  analysis  for  the  quarter ending 15.02.2017, sugar cane dues for the 2016-17 sugar season is lowest as compared to last five years for the corresponding period.
- (c): The Sugarcane (Control) Order,1966 stipulates payment of cane price within 14 days of supply, failing which interest at the rate of 15% per annum on amount due for the delayed period beyond 14 days is payable. The powers for enforcing this provisions are delegated and vested with the State Governments/UT Administrations who have necessary field formations for implementation of the said  provision. The  Central  Government  advices  the  State  Governments from time to time to ensure timely payment to the cane growers and take strict action against the defaulting sugar mills for nonpayment of cane price dues. The State Governments takes necessary action like issue of FIR, Recovery Certificates etc. against the defaulting sugar mills for recovery of pending sugarcane dues.
- (d):  With  carry  over  stock  of  the  previous  seasons  and  estimated  sugar  production  during  the current sugar season 2016-17, the availability of sugar in the current sugar season is sufficient to meet the domestic requirement of sugar.
- (e): With a view to encourage sugar production, the Central Government provides concessional loans  to  sugar  factories  from  Sugar  Development  Fund  (SDF)  for  modernization  of  plant  and machinery,  up-gradation  of  technology  and  sugarcane  development  including  better  irrigation facilities, improved seed variety, ratoon management etc.

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