Amidst the increasing demand for sugar in Uttar Pradesh and fears of black marketing, the state government has come into full action mode. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level review meeting in Lucknow on Saturday to take stock of the actual situation of sugar supply and market. During this, the CM clarified in a clear tone that there is sufficient stock of sugar within the state, hence there is no need for the general public to panic or get worried in any way.
In the meeting, a direct warning was given to hoarders and elements spreading rumours. The Chief Minister has given strict instructions that direct and strict legal action will be taken against any businessman or middleman who tries to create artificial crisis. All the District Magistrates have been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting intensive checking campaigns in their respective districts, from mills to warehouses of wholesalers.
New rules set for dealers and big businessmen
To maintain uninterrupted supply in the market, the government has issued strict guidelines regarding sugar stock. According to the new rules, authorized dealers will no longer be able to store stock for more than 30 days of consumption. Along with this, the maximum limit for dealers has been fixed at 400 tonnes.
At the same time, big shopkeepers whose monthly consumption is 10 thousand kg (100 quintals) or more will no longer be able to keep stock for more than 15 days. The sugar mills have also been tightened and instructions have been given that they will not be able to dump the goods in their warehouses for more than 7 days after the sale is finalized.
What is the stock and demand of sugar in the state?
In fact, rejecting the rumors of sugar shortage in the market, the government has presented the complete figures. At present the sugar mills of the state have a total stock of 179.38 lakh quintals of sugar. Of these, 150.50 lakh quintals of sugar is kept safe with private mills, 23.60 lakh quintals with cooperative sector mills and 5.28 lakh quintals of sugar is kept safe with state corporation mills.
According to statistics, about 4 lakh tonnes of sugar is consumed every month in the state. During June and July, 235 lakh quintals of sugar has been launched from the mills in the market. The Chief Minister also indicated that if there is a sudden surge in demand, the upcoming crushing season will be started ahead of schedule i.e. from October 15.
On the sugarcane payment front, it was informed that an amount of more than Rs 32,554 crore has been paid to about 48 lakh farmers under the crushing season 2025-26. At the same time, in the upcoming season of 2026-27, the production of about 90 lakh tonnes of sugar from 28.14 lakh hectare area has been estimated.
As soon as the order was received, the administration entered the field, conducted rapid raids in many districts
As soon as the instructions were issued from Lucknow, the administrative machinery became active in many districts including Western Uttar Pradesh. A surprise inspection of sugar warehouses was conducted in Baghpat under the leadership of SDM Digvijay Singh and CO Sukanya Sharma. In Rajpura area of Sambhal, Naib Tehsildar and Marketing Inspector reconciled the books of accounts and actual stock of three big firms. In Naveen Mandi of Muzaffarnagar also, the team of Food and Supplies Department raided the premises of big businessmen.
In Bareilly, DM Avinash Singh held an emergency meeting with bulk stockists and bluntly said that if more than 4 thousand quintals (400 tonnes) of sugar is found stored, there will be seizure and legal action. Similarly, in Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), DM Medha Rupam directed the officials to go into the field and ensure monitoring of daily supplies.
It is clear from this strict action of the state government that the administration is in no mood to show any laxity in order to control the prices of sugar during the festivals and in the coming months and completely stop hoarding.