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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.

Saif stabbing latest in series of celebrity attacks

Saif Ali Khan

Mumbai: The knife attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra home by an intruder is the latest in a series of crimes targeting showbiz celebrities. Here are some major incidents concerning key personalities from the Hindi film industry:


Salman Khan

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's legal troubles with the infamous 1998 blackbuck poaching case, in which Saif was also involved, continue to haunt him. His security concerns escalated in 2018 when incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi openly threatened to kill him during a court appearance in Jodhpur.


Since then, Khan has faced multiple threats. In April 2023, two shooters, allegedly from the Bishnoi gang, fired gunshots outside his Bandra residence before being arrested.


Gulshan Kumar

The murder of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar in 1997 was one of the first major incidents involving a prominent celebrity that shook the nation. Kumar, known for his devotion, visited a Shiva temple in Mumbai's Andheri suburb every morning and evening. On August 12, 1997, after praying for 15 minutes and making offerings, he was ambushed while returning to his car.

Three assailants opened fire as he was unlocking the door. He was declared brought dead at Cooper Hospital.


Police later revealed that Kumar had received threat calls on August 5 and August 9, just days before his assassination.


Rakesh Roshan

After the phenomenal success of his 2000 movie "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai", which marked his son Hrithik Roshan's acting debut, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan survived an assassination attempt allegedly linked to the underworld. Reports suggested he had refused to pay extortion money. On January 21, 2000, two men, Sunil Vithal Gaikwad and Sachin Kamble, shot at Roshan near his Santacruz office in Mumbai. One bullet struck his left arm while another grazed his chest. Despite his injuries, Roshan managed to drive himself to the Santacruz police station before being rushed for surgery.


Shah Rukh Khan

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has had multiple encounters with the Mumbai underworld and has been vocal about resisting intimidation. In October 2023, the Maharashtra government granted him Y+ security cover due to growing threats.


During the 1990s, gangster Abu Salem reportedly targeted Khan on multiple occasions, adding to the actor's history of standing up against underworld pressure.


Preity Zinta

Actor Preity Zinta publicly spoke out about the underworld's influence in Bollywood, particularly during legal proceedings related to the 2001 film "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke". She received extortion calls demanding Rs 50 lakh, highlighting the threats actors faced for speaking against criminal elements in the industry.

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