Congress Chairman Mallikarjun Khadge criticized the government through a post on the social media platform X, drawing attention to the increase in sugar prices. He stated that due to the Modi government's policies, sweetness has turned bitter ahead of the holidays.
Questioning the government, Khadge demanded clarification regarding the decline in domestic sugar stocks, rising inflation, and ethanol policy. He questioned why India, a major global producer and exporter of sugar, saw its reserves drop to the lowest level in nine years.
He also raised the issue of how this situation led to an export ban and the necessity of importing 10 million tons of duty-free sugar. Mentioning that sugar prices have risen by approximately 40% in three months, Khadge asked who ultimately bears the burden of inflation placed on the population before the holidays.
Furthermore, Mallikarjun Khadge noted that with the country facing a sugar deficit and importing sugar from abroad, the policy of using sugarcane and grain for ethanol production under the E20 standard needs revision. He questioned the concept of 'Self-Reliant India,' pointing out that first sugar production decreased, then stocks reached a 9-year low, now the country is importing sugar while simultaneously diverting sugarcane to ethanol for blending with gasoline.