Export of Groundnut Extractions

months of statutory partial control, it pushed up prices from Rs 185 to Rs 245 in October and November 1971. There was a storm of protest all round. The industry accepted voluntary partial control in order to avoid reimnosi- tion of full control. During the six months of voluntary partial control, the industry tried its best with the help of other vested interests, to set- that the minimum cane prices were raised substantially. But it failed, ami so gave notice of termination of the voluntary control agreement. The government could do nothing but impose statutory control. Industry immediately challenged the levy prices and obtained permission from the High Courts to charge higher prices but keep the excess in a separate account under bank guarantee! Then, in the 1971-72 season, faced with a new situation, industry changed its tactics and started a countrywide campaign warning the government and people against an impending sugar famine. When it noticed that the 1971-72 season had opened with a stock of 1.41 mn tonnes, the second largest in the history of the industry, the industry modified its stand. With comfortable stocks and judicious management of monthly releases, it was claimed, the sugar economy could be managed easily in spite of a certain fall in production. The industry revised its estimate of likely production, from 3.5 mn tonnes to 3.3 mn tonnes and finally to 3.1 mn tonnes as the season progressed. By the end of April, it had become clear that sugar production would not exceed 3.1 mn tonnes. Even now, however, neither industry nor government have issued statistics of sugar production, offtake, and stocks for the season. Industry released its 11-month figures only recenl- ly: production 3.08 mn tonnes, offtake 3.62 mn tonnes, and stocks 0.87 mn tonnes. Thus the 1972-73 season will open with stocks of at least 550,000 tonnes.