With the price of sugar rising rapidly across the globe as well as in the country, the Delhi Government on Thursday decided to approach the Centre for more quota for release at reasonable rates through the outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy.
The situation was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. “While it is a global and national phenomenon, we want to provide relief to the people of Delhi in whichever way possible,” said Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf.
The Minister said it has been decided to ask the Centre to release a greater quota of sugar for Delhi. “We are a non-sugar producing State and we have already abolished VAT on sale of sugar. Now in order to supply reasonably-priced sugar to the people we would be urging the Union Government to release more sugar,” he added.
While market forces will continue to play a major role in determining its price, Mr. Yusuf said it has been the Government’s endeavour to minimise its impact on the people by providing as much relief as possible. “So after selling pulses and wheat flour at reasonable rates, we now want to sell sugar too at lower than market rates.” Already about four lakh people Below Poverty Line in Delhi are getting 6 kg of sugar per card at Rs.13.40 per kg. So the new scheme is aimed at reaching out to the ordinary citizens, many of whom do not even have access to rationed supplies, he added.
