Government Amends Sugar Stock Limits to Prevent Hoarding and Ensure Smooth Supply During Festive Season
Distilled Policy Brief
- Special relaxations have been provided for Kolkata (and its extended metropolitan areas) and Assam, where the stock limit is set at 2,000 quintals to accommodate geographical constraints, transport logistics, and supply chains to the North-Eastern region.
- The government is closely monitoring sugarcane production affected by irregular rainfall due to El Nino, aiming to balance fair returns for farmers and stable prices for consumers, with retail sugar prices already declining by 15% from their August peak.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Temporary stock holding limits on sugar, regional exemptions (Kolkata and Assam), and the role of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in regulating domestic supply.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Balancing the dual policy pillars of ensuring remunerative returns for sugarcane farmers and maintaining price stability for consumers amidst climate anomalies like El Nino.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the revised sugar stock holding limits notified by the Government of India to prevent hoarding and ensure smooth supply, consider the following statements: 1. The revised norms mandate a uniform stock limit of 1,000 quintals and a 15-day holding period across all states and Union Territories without any geographic exceptions. 2. Kolkata and Assam have been granted a relaxed stock limit of 2,000 quintals to accommodate logistical constraints and supply chains to the North-Eastern region. 3. Despite sugarcane production being affected by irregular rainfall due to El Nino, retail sugar prices have declined by 15% from their August peak. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect because the revised norms are not uniform across all regions; Kolkata (and its extended metropolitan areas) and Assam are exceptions with a higher stock limit of 2,000 quintals. Statement 2 is correct as this relaxation accommodates geographical and transport logistics for supplying the North-Eastern region. Statement 3 is correct as the government notification highlights that retail sugar prices have declined by 15% from their August peak despite El Nino-induced irregular rainfall affecting sugarcane production.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.