Chandigarh, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Central government over the reported rise in sugar prices, alleging that its policy of diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production was contributing to inflation.
Randhawa said a rise of nearly ₹20 per kg in sugar prices within 17 days, if linked to reduced availability following the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production, required the Centre to provide a clear explanation.
He questioned the government’s ethanol-blended petrol policy, which had been projected as a measure to reduce dependence on imported fuel and save foreign exchange. Randhawa said discussions over importing sugar despite the country’s ethanol push raised questions about the impact of the policy on domestic sugar availability.
“If one policy causes another essential commodity to become more expensive, it indicates a serious lapse in policymaking,” Randhawa said.
He demanded that the Central government disclose the impact of its ethanol policy on sugar production, provide details of current sugar stocks and explain the measures being taken to contain prices.
Randhawa said households were already facing higher expenses on cooking gas, edible oil, pulses and other essential commodities. A further increase in the price of sugar, a commonly used household item, would put additional pressure on family budgets, he said.
The Congress leader said the Centre could not expect ordinary consumers to bear the consequences of policy decisions that contributed to higher prices.
He called for greater clarity from the government on sugar availability, production and stocks, particularly if the policy of diverting sugarcane towards ethanol was affecting the domestic market.
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