Bhubaneswar: State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra Sunday attributed the rising sugar price to ethanol production in the country. Patra said the increase in sugar prices was being witnessed across the country and was not limited to the state.
He said the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production was among the factors affecting sugar availability and contributing to higher prices.
The rising prices of sugar, onions and vegetables are putting pressure on household budgets across the state, with Patra putting the blame of price rise on supply disruptions, crop damage caused by rain and floods, and other national flow of agricultural produce into markets, he said.
For Odisha consumers, however, the immediate concern is the impact at the local market.
Sugar prices have risen significantly in recent weeks, while the cost of onions and several vegetables has also increased, adding pressure on families already dealing with higher food expenses.
Patra said heavy rainfall and floods had damaged crops in several areas, disrupting the supply of vegetables and pushing up prices.
The weather-related disruption has affected the The state government is keeping a close watch on the market and monitoring cases of hoarding to prevent artificial price escalation, the minister said.
Action would be taken against those found attempting to exploit the situation through hoarding or other unfair trade practices.
“We are monitoring the situation,” Patra said, expressing confidence that prices would gradually decline as weather conditions improve and the supply of essential commodities returns to normal.
The price rise has become a growing concern for consumers in Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state, particularly as households face higher expenditure on daily essentials.