Question: India’s position among the major sugar producing countries is …
(a) First
(b) Second
(c) Third
(d) Fourth
Ans (b)
Related facts:
- On April 19, 2017 Union Cabinet gave its approval for extending the validity of the existing Central Order dated 27.10.2016 in respect of sugar for a further period of six months from 29.04.2017 to 28.10.2017.
- The main objective of the decision is to enable the State Governments to issue control order with the prior concurrence of Central Government.
- The decision will help state government in fixing stock limits/licensing requirements in respect of sugar.
- This is expected to help in the efforts being taken to improve the availability of these commodities to general public at reasonable rates.
- To support the sugar sector, the Government had recently extended soft loan assistance of Rs.4305 crore to the industry which has been directly credited to farmers account on behalf of sugar mills through banks benefitting about 32 lakh farmers.
- In order to maintain domestic prices at reasonable levels, the Government has allowed import of a restricted quantity of 5 lakh MT of raw sugar at zero duty by millers/refiners having their own refining capacity.
- This restricted quantity will help the sugar industry to augment their liquidity and enable them to pay cane dues of farmers.
- Top Sugar producing countries are Brazil, India and China respectively.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=161141
http://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/cabinet-approves-extension-of-the-validity-of-central-order-in-respect-of-sugar-for-six-months/