As sugar prices are nearing about Rs. 50 per kg in retail market, so on Wednesday, Govt. gave permission to have duty free import of refined sugar till Dec. 31, 2010.

As there are restrictions to process imported raw sugar, so Cabinet Committee on Prices (CCP) made certain that UP mills will be allowed to process imported raw sugar outside UP. [smartads]

Sharad Pawar told that in the next 2 months, around 2 – 3 million tons of wheat would be out in open market to verify prices. Importing white sugar was permitted till March 31, 2010.

Expecting states to play more dynamic responsibility in increasing food prices, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will evaluate the condition with CMs’ afterward this month.

Food inflation has come near 20 % while sugar is edge near Rs 50 per kg in the retail market.

Sharad Pawar told that PM would also evaluate implementation of the Essential Commodities Act for leashing food prices.

UP govt. doesn’t permit the mills to process the imported raw sugar in UP in spite of recurring requests from the Centre.