Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Modi government of taking a “wrong decision” by diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production, claiming it has led to a sharp rise in sugar prices across the country.
In a video released on Thursday, Kejriwal alleged that sugar prices had increased by around ₹20 per kg in just 17 days due to a shortage of sugarcane and reduced sugar production. He claimed that sugar, which was selling at around ₹46 per kg 17 days ago, is now priced at nearly ₹65 per kg.
Kejriwal said the government had promoted ethanol blending in petrol with the aim of reducing crude oil imports and saving foreign exchange. However, he argued that diverting sugarcane for ethanol production had reduced the availability of sugar for domestic consumption.
He questioned the government's policy, saying India had earlier exported sugar but was now considering importing it. “The foreign exchange saved on oil imports will now have to be spent on importing sugar,” Kejriwal said.
AAP leader also claimed that ethanol-blended petrol was affecting vehicle mileage and alleged that consumers were being forced to pay more for sugar.
Kejriwal criticised the government's decision-making, saying authorities should have anticipated the impact of diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production. He also attacked the Modi government over several other policies, including demonetisation and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kejriwal alleged that the government's decisions had failed to deliver the promised benefits and said the public was ultimately bearing the consequences of such policies.
