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New Delhi, Dec. 29 The Centre has released 50 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugar as the free sale quota (FSQ) for mills during the January-March 2008 quarter. This is inclusive of four lt of the now-dismantled second ‘buffer stock’ of 30 lt that created on Government account.

Of the 46 lt ‘normal’ FSQ, mills are required to dispose of 15 lt each in January and 16 lt in February, while the expected availability from the dismantled second buffer stock would be two lt in January and one lt each in February and March.

Last year, the total FSQ (which did not include any dismantled buffer releases) for January-March stood at 44 lt. The six lt or 13.6 per cent additional sugar in the open market is expected to keep prices on check ahead of Parliament elections.

According to an official statement, any unsold/un-despatched stocks out of the normal FSQ during any month or the four lt dismantled buffer to be disposed of before March would automatically be converted into levy sugar for the public distribution system. Besides, penal action may also be taken against the defaulting sugar factories under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The Centre has also restored the requirement for mills to obtain release orders from the Directorate of Sugar for export of sugar (even under open general licence) with effect from January 1. Earlier, through a notification dated July 31, 2007, the Centre had dispensed with this requirement till September 30, 2008, and which was subsequently extended up to the end of the calendar year.

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