Date:28/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/28/stories/2004092800951000.htm

Back 40 lakh t sugar released under free sale quota

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Sept. 27

THE Government has released 40 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugar as the indigenous free sale quota (FSQ) of mills for the ensuing October-December quarter. This is way above the 32-lt FSQ that was released for the same quarter of 2003, indicating the Government's keenness to ensure adequate open market supplies and curb inflationary pressures in the festival season.

The 40 lt of FSQ is in addition to the 6.48 lt released as levy sugar, which mills have to supply for meeting the requirements of the public distribution system for the coming quarter (2.16 lt for each month). Last year, during the October-December quarter, the total levy quota released amounted to 6.07 lt.

The total indigenous availability of sugar through both the FSQ and levy route would thus work out to 46.48 lt during October-December 2004, which is 22.1 per cent more than the 38.07 lt for October-December 2003.

"With enough stocks in hand, the Government would be able to release further quantities of sugar if required", according to an official release issued here on Monday.