ROPAR, OCT 15: With the festive season drawing near, sweet shop operators and wholesale traders across Ropar district expressed strong concern over a sharp escalation in sugar prices, citing widespread supply disruptions and alleged illegal markups. Wholesale rates have reportedly surged from Rs 55 per kg to Rs 70 per kg within a single week, posing a direct challenge to sweet manufacturers preparing for peak Diwali demand.
Commercial buyers stated that sugar mills are withholding direct bulk supplies to business entities, compelling them to purchase through intermediaries at inflated cash rates. Representatives from local business associations affirmed that while official billing reflects the regulated government-linked rate near Rs 48 per kg, middlemen are demanding the remaining balance in unrecorded cash transactions, driving the effective market rate well above prescribed limits.
Responding to the rising concerns, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Kimmi Kaur affirmed that administrative teams will conduct a thorough examination of local supply chains. Authorities maintained that strict checks will be initiated across wholesale hubs to identify potential hoarding practices and prevent unfair market manipulation during the high-demand festive period.
