Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 22 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the availability of sugar stocks in the state and directed officials to take strict action against those involved in hoarding and black-marketing of sugar, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.

As per the state government, a total sugar stock of 179.38 lakh quintals is currently available across sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh. This includes 23.60 lakh quintals in cooperative sugar mills, 5.28 lakh quintals in corporation sugar mills, and 150.50 lakh quintals in private sugar mills.

The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that no person or entity hoards sugar stocks for more than 30 days. He further instructed that action should be taken against dealers holding more than 400 tonnes of sugar stock at a time.

The state government said strict action will be initiated against violators under the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and other applicable rules.

The Uttar Pradesh government also highlighted that record sugarcane payments have been made to farmers in the state. A total of Rs 3,217 crore has been distributed among 48 lakh farmers.

The new sugarcane crushing season in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to begin on October 15, the government said.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Centre said that the present increase in sugar prices is due to a combination of factors, including lower-than-expected domestic production, increased demand ahead of the festive season, weather-related damage to the sugarcane crop, tightening global sugar supplies and speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry.

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Centre is closely monitoring market developments and has initiated a series of regulatory and supply-side measures to maintain availability and price stability for consumers.

The government has acted to curb sugar price rise and ensure adequate availability during the festive season following an upward movement in domestic retail prices from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70 per kg on August 20.

'It is incorrect to attribute the recent increase in sugar prices to diversion of sugar for ethanol production,' the Ministry noted, explaining that the share of sugar diverted for ethanol declined from around 12 per cent in 2022-23 to around 9 per cent in 2025-26, while nearly three-fourths of the country's ethanol output now originates from grains, particularly maize. (ANI)