PIB · Government of India ·

Government Forms High-Level Committee Under Prof. Ramesh Chand to Examine Sugarcane Pricing and Sugar Sector Reforms

Distilled Policy Brief

  • The Government of India has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, former member of NITI Aayog, to examine issues raised by sugarcane farmers and recommend remedial measures.
  • The committee will review demands regarding an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane, revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar, and transparent mechanisms for sugar recovery testing and weighing methods.
  • The panel comprises key officials including the Agriculture Commissioner, Joint Secretary (Sugar), and Joint Secretary (Legal Metrology), and will consult stakeholders such as farmer representatives, sugar mill associations, and state governments.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

A high-level committee to examine sugarcane pricing, sugar MSP, and recovery testing mechanisms has been set up under the chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, former member of NITI Aayog, with representation from ministries including Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Examine the structural challenges facing the Indian sugar sector, particularly regarding sugarcane pricing (FRP), sugar minimum selling price (MSP) revision, and farmers' grievances relating to transparent weighing and recovery rates.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

Economy

Consider the following statements regarding the committee recently constituted by the Government of India to examine issues related to sugarcane farmers and the sugar sector: 1. The committee is chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, former member of NITI Aayog. 2. The mandate of the committee includes reviewing demands for an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane and the revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar. 3. The committee consists solely of representatives from farmer associations and private sugar mill owners, excluding government officials. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • [A] 1 only
  • [B] 1 and 2 only
  • [C] 2 and 3 only
  • [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [B] 1 and 2 only

Statement 1 is correct: The committee is constituted under the chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, former member of NITI Aayog. Statement 2 is correct: The panel is tasked with reviewing demands regarding an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane and the revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar. Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee comprises key government officials such as the Agriculture Commissioner, Joint Secretary (Sugar), and Joint Secretary (Legal Metrology), alongside consulting stakeholders like farmers and mill associations.

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 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.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) and State Advised Price (SAP): Understanding the statutory pricing mechanism for sugarcane under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
Sugar Pricing and Buffer Stock Policies: Study of cyclical fluctuations in the Indian sugar industry (cobweb phenomenon), de-regularization of the sugar sector, and regulation of ex-mill MSP.