New Delhi, 20 August (H.S.): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticised the Central government over rising sugar prices and the use of sugarcane for ethanol production. Kejriwal alleged that the government’s efforts to save foreign exchange by increasing ethanol production from sugarcane had resulted in a shortage of sugar in the domestic market.

In a post on social media platform X, Kejriwal questioned the Centre’s policy and criticised what he described as a lack of foresight in policymaking. He alleged that the government had failed to anticipate the consequences of its decisions.

Kejriwal said ethanol production from sugarcane was promoted with the objective of reducing foreign exchange expenditure on crude oil imports. However, he claimed that diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production had subsequently contributed to a shortage of sugar in the country.

He further alleged that the situation had now reached a stage where the country might have to use the same foreign exchange to import sugar, effectively defeating the original objective of the policy.

Questioning the rationale behind the government’s approach, Kejriwal asked whether the policy represented sound governance or had simply become a matter of ridicule.

He also raised concerns over the recent rise in sugar prices, claiming that retail rates had increased sharply over the past around 17 days and had risen by Rs 20. He used the price rise to further question the Centre’s handling of sugarcane, ethanol production and domestic sugar supplies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar