Various measures have been taken by the Department of Food & Public Distribution for current sugar season 2019-20. The Government is reimbursing carrying cost of Rs.1674 crore towards maintenance of buffer stockof 40 LMT of sugar.Besides aassistance@ Rs 10448/MT being provided tosugar mills to meet expenses on export of 60 LMT of sugar. The likely expenditure for this will be around Rs.6268 crore.Also, Soft loans of about Rs. 18600 crores are being extended through banks to 362 sugar mills and molasses-based standalone distilleries for enhancement and augmentation of ethanol production capacity, for which an interest subvention of about Rs.4045 crore for five years is being borne by the Government.

The Stock Position for current sugar season 2019-20 (October-September) is as follows-

• Opening Stock ( as on 01.10.2019)                           : 145 LMT
• Estimated Production during sugar season 2019-20 : 270 LMT
• Estimated domestic Consumption                            : 240 LMT
• Estimated Export during Sugar Season 2019-20       : 50 LMT (MAEQ)
• Estimated closing stock as on 30.09.2020                 : 125 LMT
• Closing Stock ( as on 30.04.2020)                            : 235 LMT

• As Position of Cane Price Arrears of farmers for season 2018-19 ( as on 28.05.2020)

(Rs in crore)

• Position of Cane Price Arrears of farmers for season 2018-19 ( as on 28.05.2019)

On FRP basis               : Rs   18140  Cr

Arrears inclusive of SAP and FRP   : Rs   22970  Cr

• Position of Cane Price Arrears of farmers for current season 2019-20 (as on 28.05.2020)

(Rs in crore)

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APS/PK/MS