| |
| AW Govt Approaching Sugar Importers to Clear Port Stocks | |
| |
India is approaching leading importers to quickly clear imported sugar stocks from ports to develop domestic supply, and may remove consignments that are not moved out, senior government officials told to the reputed media.
They reported that around 6.56 lakh metric tonnes of imported sugar was lying in port warehouses at Kolkata, Tuticorin, Kandla and Visakhapatnam on the east coast on Oct. 27.
The country imported 5 million metric tonnes (MMt) of sugar in 2008-09 after exporting a similar amount last year. The highest imported stocks of nearly 4.28 lakh Mt were lying at Kandla, followed by Tuticorin, 2.17 lakh Mt; Visakhapatnam, 9,525 Mt and Kolkata, 1,476 Mt, officials said to the media.
They said the central food ministry is expected write to the finance ministry to instruct its customs department to take action against the companies holding the stocks.
Sugar dealers can stock up to 200 tonnes at ports, except in Kolkata, where they can stock 1,000 tonnes. There is no restriction on stocks kept at ports by actual users. |