The proposal was mooted by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Sugar mills owed farmers ₹19,000 crore (as on January 31, 2018), which has came down to ₹11,700 crore by the end of September 30, 2018. Dues were at around ₹9,500 crore last year. Experts blame oversupply and the consequent subdued factory-gate sugar prices for the doubling of dues.