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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special...

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special financial assistance to compensate for the likely fall in sugar recovery and the reduction in cane weight that could result from crushing in October. India produced around 280 lakh tonnes of sugar last season. The season began with stocks of nearly 50 lakh tonnes, while annual domestic consumption is estimated at around 280 lakh tonnes. With about 35 lakh tonnes expected to remain in stock by September 30, the Centre wants the new season’s production to start flowing into the market without waiting for the traditional crushing cycle. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 80 per cent of India’s sugar production. The Union Food Ministry has therefore written to the chief ministers of the three states, asking them to bring forward the start of the 2026-27 crushing season. The push comes against the backdrop of a sharp movement in sugar prices. Ex-mill prices had earlier climbed to around Rs 68 per kg, pushing retail prices close to Rs 80 per kg. Following a series of measures by the Centre, ex-mill prices have since declined to around Rs 41 per kg. Yet, the government is looking at further measures to bring prices down and ensure that stocks move into the market. One such measure has been the approval of imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar. Since initial applications covered only around eight lakh tonnes, the Centre has invited applications for the remaining quota. It has also reduced the permissible stockholding limit for traders from 400 tonnes to 200 tonnes. The next major point of discussion will be the meeting convened by Union Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra with the sugar industry in New Delhi on September 8. The secretaries of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have also been invited. West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) president B. B. Thombre said the Centre was pushing for crushing to begin around the middle of October. Traditionally, most mills in Maharashtra begin operations around November 15, largely because sugarcane harvesting labour becomes available only after Diwali. The industry is, however, willing to explore an early start between October 20 and 25. But early crushing could have significant implications. According to Thombre, sugar recovery could fall by around 1.5 percentage points, while the weight of sugarcane supplied by farmers could decline by 10-15 per cent. The industry will therefore seek special assistance for cane crushed between October 15 and November 15. At the September 8 meeting, it plans to demand a subsidy of Rs 500 per tonne for sugar mills and Rs 300 per tonne directly for sugarcane farmers.

Reliance seeks to cash in on Pak assault, retracts

  • PTI
  • May 8, 2025
  • 3 min read

Mumbai: In a bizarre move, the Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and three other individuals filed applications seeking to patent or trademark the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ – under which India has taken revenge for the April 22 Pahalgam carnage that claimed 26 innocent lives.


Following a public furore, the Mukesh Ambani-headed RIL on Thursday quickly withdrew its application while blaming a junior person for erroneously and unauthorizedly filing it.


Additionally, three other individuals have also filed similar applications to claim the term ‘Operation Sindoor’ – a retired Group Captain K. S. Oberh, Alok Kothari and M. C. Agarwal – as social media users poured their outrage over the development.


“RIL has no intention of trademarking ‘Operation Sindoor’, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery. Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorization,” said an official Spokesperson.


He added that RIL and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of ‘Operation Sindoor’, which is an achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India's uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism.


“RIL stands fully in support of our Government and Armed Forces in this fight against terrorism. Our commitment to the motto of 'INDIA FIRST' remains unwavering,” said the company.


Withdraw application

The company today sent a letter to the effect, signed by an executive Rajesh Kumar S., withdrawing its application No.6994264 in Class 41 – without assigning any reasons - for trade-marking ‘Operation Sindoor’, to the Registrar of Trade Marks, Mumbai.


The four applications also figure prominently - RIL topping the list - on the Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s website, and many raised questions on social media how these came to be accepted in the first place.


Barely hours after the Armed Forces launched the ‘Operation Sindoor’, the RIL filed an application seeking to register the name for its ‘goods & services’ under Class 41 that covers entertainment and education services.


Many vent their ire on social media at the RIL, with some pointing accusing fingers at the company for allegedly attempting to cash in on the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’ that has now become a household name in barely 24 hours.


Reliance says it was filed inadvertently

In a statement, Reliance said it has no intention of "trademarking Operation Sindoor. "Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation," it said.


Earlier, four applications, including one by Reliance, were filed with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks on Wednesday, seeking to use the phrase for entertainment-related services like audio and video content.


All four applicants filed between 10.42 am and 6.27 pm on May 7 for registration under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which includes education and training services, film and media production, live performances and events, digital content delivery and publishing, and cultural and sporting activities.


This category is often used by OTT platforms, production houses, broadcasters, and event companies, suggesting that 'Operation Sindoor' could have become a film title, web series or documentary brand.


"The Reliance family is ready to support any measure in protecting our nation's unity and integrity. We like our fellow Indians believe – India seeks peace, but not at the cost of its pride, security or sovereignty."

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries

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