Sugar firms jump after media reports of likely govt loan relief

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Shares of sugar firms rose after media reports said the government will provide interest-free loans to sugar mills struggling to pay cane dues to farmers because of weak demand.

Stocks of companies such as Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd , Sree Renuka Sugars Ltd , Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd , Andhra Sugars Ltd , Mawana Sugar and Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd rose in the range of 6 to 13 percent.

The government is expected to confirm the decision for loans of 60 billion rupees ($939.3 million) at a press briefing shortly.

($1 = 63.8800 rupees)

(Reporting by Nigam Prusty; Editing by Prateek Chatterjee)