Centre turns down Assam plea on sugar buying

GUWAHATI: It’s the end of the road for Northeastern states which were seeking special dispensation in case of central government’s directive of buying sugar from open market and selling the same in public distribution system.

Centre has rejected Assam’s plea and asked it to take to new system. Following this, Assam has decided to go for tendering for procuring sugar from private mill owners. Union ministry of food and agriculture has turned down Assam government’s request for more time for implementation of new system of buying sugar from the open market and selling at subsidised price.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said: “Centre has informed us couple of days back that there cannot be special dispensation for North East India.” The chief minister who has taken up the matter with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh added: “In this situation we have no other option but to issue tender for procuring sugar from private mill owners .”

Union ministry of food and agriculture has directed that the supply of subsidised sugar through ration shops has been withdrawn, the ministry would allow Rs 18.50 subsidy to state government that will allow sugar through rationing system at Rs 13.50 per Kg.