Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 29: In a major move against speculative trading and market manipulation, the Maharashtra Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection has ordered an aggressive statewide enforcement drive against illegal sugar stocking.
The crackdown comes as wholesale and retail sugar prices touched historic highs in August, with unjustified ex-mill price increases, speculative trading, "paper trading" involving transactions without physical movement of stocks, and hoarding raising concerns over food inflation ahead of the country's major festive season.
Acting on directives from the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Maharashtra has deployed specialised multi-agency task forces to curb artificial supply bottlenecks and stabilise sugar prices until November 30, 2026.
A Government Resolution (GR) issued by the department on Thursday mandates joint inspections and strict monitoring of sugar stocks, sales and transportation across the state.
Under the prescribed limits, traders and distributors cannot hold more than 4,000 quintals (400 metric tonnes) of sugar at any single time or location. They are also prohibited from retaining stocks for more than 30 days from the date of receipt.
Bulk consumers, particularly industrial and commercial entities using more than 10 metric tonnes of sugar per month as raw material or for production, cannot maintain inventory exceeding a 15-day supply.
All sugar sellers and distributors have been directed to register immediately on the central Food Stock Monitoring Portal and update their inventory every Friday.
The government warned that failure to register, incomplete reporting or furnishing false information will be treated as a serious irregularity and may invite strict action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Special inspection teams have been deployed across districts from Thursday to ensure compliance.
District-level teams will be headed by the District Supply Officer as chairperson and will include the District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, a representative of the Sugar Commissioner's office, a Legal Metrology Inspector and a police officer of Superintendent or Inspector rank.
For the Mumbai and Thane regions, specific inspection squads have been constituted under the Controller of Rationing and Director of Civil Supplies.
The inspection teams have been authorised to physically verify sugar stocks at registered premises and warehouses, examine purchase invoices, gate passes and GST returns using Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes, and photograph discrepancies.
Any mismatch in stock or violation of prescribed limits will be referred immediately to the competent authorities for strict legal action under the Essential Commodities Act.