The government could soon scrap the development council for sugar industry (DCSI), a body set up in 1954 to grant licences to set up mills but has now lost relevance after the Centre loosened control over the sector. The exercise is part of broader efforts by the Modi government to abolish systems or mechanisms which are no longer relevant, a source told FE. The NDA government, which had disbanded mechanisms like group of ministers and empowered group of ministers widely prevalent during UPA rule, also decided in August to scrap hundreds of archaic laws, most of which are from the British era.

DCSI’s role was eroded after the government delicenced the sugar industry in 1998. The lifting of more controls — including mandatory supply of a portion of sugar produced by mills to the government at subsidised rates and the release order mechanism through which the food ministry used to control sugar sales in the market — in 2013 just destroyed the remnants of its relevance. The 25-member DCSI, formed under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, is usually chaired by the food secretary. A sub-committee on sugar standards will also be abolished.