Hasan Mushrif
Sugar prices had climbed to Rs 75-80 per kg in major cities before easing after Centre allowed the import of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar and announced action against hoarders. Prices, however, remain around Rs 60 per kg, significantly higher than the Rs 45 per kg prevailing at the start of Aug. Because sugar mills sold sugar beyond their monthly release quota and adequate checks were not enforced,” Mushrif said, poor and middle-class consumers suffered. As a result, sugar prices shot up,” the minister said. Because of ethanol, “It is not true that sugar prices increased.
He said sugar was covered under the Essential Commodities Act and alleged that some mills released sugar into the market in excess of permitted quotas, a development he described as unprecedented.
Rejecting allegations that ethanol diversion caused the surge, Mushrif said only limited quantities of sugar were used for ethanol production. He said there had been a ban on producing ethanol directly from cane juice and restrictions on using B-heavy molasses, leaving mills largely dependent on C-heavy molasses for ethanol production. Ethanol is not the villain here, as some leaders have claimed,” he said, demanding a thorough inquiry and stringent action against those responsible for the price rise.
“The sugar price hike was artificial. “Since Centre could not control the situation, it encouraged hoarding. Kolhapur : NCP politician and state medical education minister Hasan Mushrif on Friday blamed weak enforcement of sugar sale regulations and hoarding for the recent spike in sugar prices, ruling out ethanol production as a factor.
Maharashtra Minister Defends Amit Shah Amid Sugar Price Criticism
Maharashtra Minister Hasan Mushrif has come to the defense of Union Minister Amit Shah, who faced backlash from farmer leader Raju Shetti. Shetti accused Shah of being responsible for the recent spike in sugar prices and claimed that large amounts of sugar were being smuggled into Bangladesh from northern Indian states.
Mushrif argued that both Maharashtra and Gujarat possess robust cooperative sectors, emphasizing Shah’s deep understanding of the sugar industry due to his background in cooperative banking. He stated, ‘It would be improper to hold him responsible for the sugar price rise.’