Govt may extend white sugar import deadline

The government may extend the deadline for the import of duty-free white sugar beyond March 31 to augment domestic supply and curb the rising price of the sweetener, which is inching closer to Rs 50 a kg in Delhi.

The food ministry was looking at various options to boost the domestic availability of sugar, including extending deadline for white sugar import beyond March 31, 2010, sources said.

It is also considering relaxing import conditions to allow millers of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to refine imported raw sugar in other states as the UP government had in early November banned its transportation and processing.

In last 20 days, ministry officials have held two rounds of meetings with importers to remove hurdles in imports.