 "Sugar could remain subsidised for poor families")
To support the poor, the Centre is expected to continue with subsidised sale of sugar to about 25 million Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, bearing a financial burden of around Rs 550 crore a year.
Officials said the finance ministry seemed to be amiable to a suggestion from the ministry of food for continuation of sugar subsidy for AAY families, as they were among the poorest of the poor. A Cabinet note could be prepared soon. The Centre had scrapped the subsidy on sugar amounting to Rs 4,500 crore in the 2017-18 Budget.
The subsidy was granted to enable states to distribute cheap sugar to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
The explanation for scrapping the subsidy was that after implementation of the National Food Security Act, the APL-BPL bifurcation got diminished and states were unable to provide details of the extent of sugar subsidy that they incurred on BPL families.
One subscription. Two world-class reads.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%