Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said there is no shortage of sugar in the state and urged consumers not to worry amid concerns about its availability.In a review meeting, Adityanath said 179.38 lakh quintals of sugar are currently available with sugar mills in the state. Of this, 23.60 lakh quintals were with cooperative mills, 5.28 lakh quintals with state-run corporation mills and 150.50 lakh quintals with private mills, according to an official statement.Sugar mills have also sold 235 lakh quintals of sugar during June and July, most of which is still available in the open market, it added.Read more: Kharge questions government over sugar shortage, price rise and ethanol policyThe Chief Minister directed that sugar mills be operated from October 15 if required to meet demand.Adityanath appealed to people to beware of those spreading misinformation about the sugar shortage and directed officials to take strict action against black marketing and hoarding.As per the Centre's directions, dealers cannot hold sugar stock for more than 30 days and cannot keep more than 400 tonnes at a time. Bulk consumers with monthly consumption of 10 metric tonnes or more cannot hold stocks exceeding 15 days' requirement. Sugar mills are also required to sell their monthly quota within seven days of the date of sale, the statement said.Read more: From sugar exports to imports: What’s behind India’s policy U-turn?The Chief Minister directed all district magistrates to physically verify the stocks at registered sugar mills and warehouses of wholesale and retail traders and submit reports on actual availability.He also ordered strict action against those holding stocks beyond prescribed limits or indulging in hoarding.Officials were asked to continuously monitor sugar availability and prices and immediately inform the government of any artificial shortage or abnormal increase in prices.It was also informed that sugarcane cultivation is expected to cover 28.14 lakh hectares during the 2026-27 crushing season, with sugar production estimated at around 90 lakh tonnes, the statement said.
