Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Saturday blamed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Odisha for the sharp rise in sugar prices, alleging that the state is witnessing the highest sugar prices in the country and that consumers are being forced to bear the burden ahead of the festive season.
In a press statement, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said the steep increase in the price of sugar, an essential household commodity, had caused widespread concern among people.
Citing a recently published report, Mohanty claimed that sugar prices in Odisha were the highest among all states and alleged that neither the Central nor the state government had taken effective measures to check the price rise.
“The double-engine government is entirely responsible for the unjustified rise in the prices of essential commodities, including sugar,” he said. Mohanty also questioned the impact of the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy on sugar availability. He said while allegations had been made that the diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production was contributing to the rise in sugar prices, the Central government had denied the charge.
However, citing available data, he claimed that India had emerged as the world’s second-largest sugar exporter before the ethanol-blending policy was introduced. He further claimed that around 28 per cent of the sugarcane produced in the country was now being diverted for ethanol production, leading to a decline in sugar output.
The increase in ethanol production had also altered India’s position in the global sugar market, with the country set to import sugar this year instead of exporting it, Mohanty said. He alleged that the developments pointed to a ‘man-made’ shortage of sugar and held the Centre and state government responsible for the situation.
The BJD demanded immediate intervention by the governments to contain the price rise and ensure adequate availabili ty of sugar in the market, particularly during the festive season.