Centre sets up Prof. Ramesh Chand committee on issues of sugarcane farmers and the sugar sector
On 14 October 2026, the Government of India constituted a committee chaired by former NITI Aayog Member Prof. Ramesh Chand to examine sugarcane farmers' demands, including cane returns and sugar's Minimum Selling Price.
Summary
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on 14 October 2026 that the Government has constituted a committee under Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member of NITI Aayog (2015-2026), on issues raised by sugarcane farmers. It follows a meeting of farmers' representatives from Karnataka and Maharashtra with the Union Ministers of Agriculture and of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. The panel will examine higher remunerative returns to farmers, revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar, sugar recovery testing, weighment practices at mills and deductions for mechanically harvested cane. Its members are the Agriculture Commissioner, the Joint Secretary (Sugar) of DFPD and the Joint Secretary (Legal Metrology) of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Key facts
- Chairman
- Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member, NITI Aayog (2015-2026)
- Announced
- 14 October 2026, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & PD
- Trigger
- Meeting of sugarcane farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra with Union Ministers
- Terms
- Remunerative cane returns; ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar; recovery testing; weighment; deductions for mechanised harvesting
- Members
- Agriculture Commissioner; JS (Sugar), DFPD; JS (Legal Metrology), Dept of Consumer Affairs
- Chairman's past roles
- Director, ICAR-NIAP; Member, Fifteenth Finance Commission
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Who chairs the committee constituted in October 2026 to examine issues of sugarcane farmers and the sugar sector?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Prof. Ramesh Chand
Sugarcane farmers' representatives from which two States met Union Ministers before the October 2026 sugarcane committee was constituted?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Karnataka and Maharashtra