The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to sell sugar at ₹50-52/kg to over 4 million people in Lucknow from Sugarcane Farmers Institute campus. It will likely be available from September 5.
“Sugar will be available at Sugarcane Farmers Institute campus for the general public at a reasonable rate of ₹52 per kg,” the Cane Development Department of the state government said in a X post on September 3 evening. The facility of sugar at affordable rates is an initiative for relief for the general public, it added sharing a release.
“Today is a holiday on account of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. The sale will start on Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm on all working days,” an official said.
In different packs
According to the release, the Sugar Industry and Cane Development Department has made arrangements to sell sugar to the general public at a concessional rate. Consumers in Lucknow can purchase sugar from the campus of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Cane Farmers’ Institute. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane and jaggery (gur) while second biggest in sugar.
While 1-kg and 2-kg packs have been priced at ₹52 and ₹102, respectively, the 5-kg and 50-kg packs have been priced at ₹250 and ₹2,500, respectively.
According to Union Consumer Affairs Ministry data, the average retail price of sugar in Uttar Pradesh was ₹60.69 per kg on September 3, a tad lower from ₹64.40/Kg. Consumers in Lucknow said they are buying at ₹65-70/kg, depending on localities.
Enabling retailers
Sources said that small retailers may be able to source the sugar at ₹50/kg from the government through this sale, for which a 50-kg pack has been made available. If the scheme succeeds, retail prices next week may come down to ₹55-56/kg in Lucknow.
“All necessary arrangements have been made at the sales centre to ensure convenience for consumers and smooth purchases. Consumers can buy sugar according to their daily requirements under a transparent system without any administrative hurdles,” the statement said.
Keeping the price of sugar, an essential commodity for daily use, affordable and under control will provide considerable relief to the monthly budgets of families, particularly those belonging to the middle- and lower-income groups, the government said. “At a time when sugar prices in the market are witnessing fluctuations, this initiative by the government has emerged as significant support for the general public,” it said.
Ensuring the availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices is a fundamental responsibility in the interest of public welfare, and this sale has been launched keeping that objective in mind, the official explained.
On Friday, the all-India average price of sugar declined to ₹61.93 a kg from ₹62.23 a kg. However, it ruled as high as ₹85 a kg in some parts, while at some it was down to ₹45. Wholesale prices dropped by ₹150-400 a quintal with Chennai witnessing the maximum fall.
Mill offer prices remained unchanged upwards of ₹4,300 a quintal for S-30 grade sugar, while M-30 grade was quoted above ₹4,400. On the InterContinental Exchange, raw sugar for delivery in Octorber ruled at 18.18 cents a pound ($400 a tonne), while spot prices were 18.38 cents ($408). In London, white sugar for December delivery were quoted at $527.20 a tonne.