With sugar output expected to be higher this year at 175 lakh tonnes against 150 lakh tonnes last year, the industry is lobbying with the government for a re-imposition of the 60 per cent import levy that the commodity enjoyed two years ago. It also advocated a decontrol of the sugar industry to ensure its orderly development.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, O. P. Dhanuka, a past-president of the Indian Sugar Mills Association and a present ISMA committee member, said that the import duty on white and raw sugar should be re-imposed so that with adequate sugar availability in the coming season, the price of sugar can be maintained and consequently farmers can be paid remunerative prices.
