Government releases 17.16 lakh tonnes sugar for Jan'12

NEW DELHI: The government today allocated 17.16 lakh tonnes of sugar for sale in the open market and distribution through ration shops during the next month.

Out of total quota released for January, 2012, the Food Ministry has earmarked 15 lakh tonnes for sale in the open market (called non-levy sugar) and the remaining 2.16 lakh tonnes would be for the public distribution system (PDS) (called levy sugar).

"The Central Government has decided to make available 17.16 lakh tonnes of sugar (levy sugar 2.16 lakh tonnes and non-levy sugar 15.00 lakh tonnes) for the month of January, 2012," an official statement said.

This quantity of 17.16 lakh tonnes is sufficient to meet the internal demand of sugar for the next month, it added.

The ministry also extended the validity period for sale and dispatch of the non-levy sugar quota released for the current month by 15 days till January 15.

Sugar mills contribute 10 per cent of their contribution to the government for distribution through ration shops.

The sector is controlled by the government, which decided every month the quantity of sugar to be released in the open market.