The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), on April 2026, has issued an Office Memorandum proposing a comprehensive review and revamp of the existing Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966, in light of technological advancements and structural changes in the sugar sector. A draft Sugarcane (Control) Order, 2026 has been circulated for consultation.
The draft order, proposed under powers of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, seeks to modernize regulatory definitions and expand the scope to include ethanol production, by-products like bagasse and molasses, and broader categories such as food business operators and dealers. It also refines standards for khandsari sugar and clarifies concepts like reserved areas, sugar season, and producer classifications.
Further, the draft retains and elaborates the framework for fixation of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane by the Central Government, based on factors such as cost of production, market trends, sugar recovery, by-product value, and reasonable farmer margins. Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments/suggestions on the draft by May 20, 2026.
[Notification No. 3{3)/2018-SP-I]
