Continuing with its crackdown on sugar prices, the Central government has now written to the Maharashtra and Karnataka governments, asking them to ensure there is no hoarding by sugar mills.

“The minister (Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan) has written to the CMs (Chief Ministers) of Maharashtra and Karnataka to make sure that the mills release the stocks in the market and do not hold up the stocks,” a senior food ministry official said.

Mills in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have already released their stocks in the market, the official added.

In his letter to the chief ministers of the two states, Paswan also urged the States to ensure proper implementation of stock limit on traders. With the stock limits coming into force, traders found holding more than 500 tonnes of sugar, or holding on to stock for more than 30 days, would be liable to face action.

Sugar prices have surged significantly in recent times due to concerns over lower domestic output.

Currently, sugar prices in Mumbai are around ₹3,811 a quintal, up nearly 2 per cent since July 1, while in Bengaluru, prices have increased by 3 per cent.