Higher sugar output forecast

MUMBAI, November 12: Sugar production in 1998-99 is expected to be around 150 lakh tonne as against 128 lakh tonne during the corresponding period in the previous year.

This was assessed in a meeting with cane commissioners and senior officials of state governments associated with sugarcane and sugar industries in states convened on Thursday by the secretary, sugar and edible oils, R P Sinha. Officials from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Karnataka, and Gujarat participated in the meeting.

It is felt that in Bihar sugarcane production may be less than the previous year8217;s production by about 15 per cent due to floods and water logging.