NEW DELHI: The Centre has swung into action to increase the supply of sugar in Delhi during the festive season. At present, sugar is selling at Rs 43 per kg, the price was Rs 31 a year ago.

Recently, the food ministry facilitated supply of about 5,000 tonnes from Maharashtra to Delhi. Now. it has asked the sugar producers association to see how another 5,000 tonnes can be supplied to open market in the capital from Uttar Pradesh.

The prices are highest in Delhi compared with that in all major cities across the country. "All possible steps are being taken to ensure there is no more increase in retail prices. There have been cases of short selling by sugar producers in UP, which has impacted Delhi prices. We have asked UP government to enforce the stock limit norms strictly. We are also keeping track of how much sugar is arriving in the open market," a food ministry official said.

According to sources, though sugar producers in UP have claimed that they have released enough from their stock and the excise department records also show the sale, officials are surprised why the prices still have not fallen.