Word has it that the sugar industry may soon go liberal. The government of India has set up a Committee to consider the issue of decontrolling the industry.
Sources say all the stakeholders will be asked to give their views and opinions and while formulating its recommendations the committee will factor in them.
However, the leading sugar organisations including National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories are in not in favour of a complete deregulation. A major part of sugar production in the country takes place through cooperatives with the state of Uttar Pradesh topping the chart.
They want partial decontrol. But they would like to have some freedom to sell sugar in the open market as well as get spared the burden of providing sugar for the PDS.