Surjewala Attacks Modi Government Over Rising Sugar Prices, Alleges Sugar Shortage Was Ignored

Image Source : Screen Grab | Video | Press Conference | @INCIndia CONGRESS

Dated 27th August 2026

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Chief Political Editor

New Delhi | Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has strongly criticised the Narendra Modi government over the sharp rise in sugar prices, alleging that the government’s policies have made festivals difficult for ordinary people.

VIDEO | Highlights | Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing the media at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

Addressing the media at the AICC office in New Delhi, Surjewala said sugar prices have increased from around ₹45 per kg to as high as ₹75 per kg. He said the rise in sugar prices has made the sweetness of festivals bitter for the common people.

Surjewala alleged that BJP leaders are describing the rising prices and inflation as a “masterstroke”. He said that if petrol and diesel prices are increased, it is said to reduce obesity; if cooking gas becomes expensive, people are told to eat less; and if cooking oil becomes costly, it is claimed to protect people from heart attacks. He also criticised the government’s handling of paper leaks and sarcastically said that making sugar expensive is now being presented as a way to protect people from diabetes.

He said the opening sugar stock for 2025-26 was around 5 million tonnes, which was 3 million tonnes lower than the previous year. According to him, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), in its April 30, 2026 press release, stated that sugar production during 2025-26 was 27.5 million tonnes.

Surjewala alleged that the government knew by April that there could be a shortage of sugar but failed to take timely action. He said monthly sugar consumption in India is around 2.4 million tonnes and can increase to nearly 3 million tonnes during festival periods.

He questioned the government’s decision to announce the import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar only in August. According to Surjewala, sugar imported from Brazil could take around 45 to 55 days to reach India by sea. He said that after processing, the imported sugar may reach the market only by the end of November and therefore may not help consumers during the main festival season.

VIDEO | Highlights | Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing the media at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

Surjewala further alleged that around 12 million tonnes of sugar could be consumed between August and November. If consumers have to pay an additional ₹30 per kg, he estimated that the additional burden could reach around ₹36,000 crore. He alleged that the benefit of this amount would go to sugar stockists, profiteers and black marketeers, and questioned whether this could be an example of collusion with those in power.

He also alleged that 32 per cent of the sugarcane complex was used for the production of E20 fuel between November 2025 and July 2026. He said the sugarcane complex includes sugar, B-heavy molasses and C-heavy molasses. According to him, this reduced the sugar available for public consumption while the same resources were being used for vehicles.

Surjewala also recalled that the earlier Congress government had a scheme under which 500 grams of sugar per person every month was provided to around 40 crore people through ration shops at ₹13.50 per kg. He said the government provided a subsidy of ₹18.50 per kg for the scheme, which was discontinued by the Modi government in 2017.

Surjewala said the rising price of sugar would add to the burden on ordinary families during the festival season. He said that when people celebrate Dussehra and Diwali this year, they will once again feel the impact of inflation.