As of December 10, 2025, a total of 575 sugar mills are registered on the NSWS portal, with 534 operational in the 2024-25 sugar season. The North Eastern region has 4 sugar mills (Assam-3, Nagaland-1), all of which are not operational; 2 of the Assam mills are cooperative. The sugar mill shortage in the North Eastern region is mainly attributed to unfavorable climate and geography for sugarcane cultivation. The Government has initiated a "Grant-in-Aid to NCDC for strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs)" scheme, providing a one-time grant of Rs. 1000.00 crore to NCDC in two installments of Rs. 500.00 crore each in FY 2022-23 and FY 2024-25. This is for additional borrowing from the market and providing loans of Rs. 10,000 crore to CSMs for setting up Ethanol/Cogeneration plants and for working capital. As of March 31, 2025, NCDC has disbursed Rs. 10,005.45 crore to 56 CSMs.
Key Entities Referenced
Grant-in-Aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills: A scheme by the government to provide financial assistance through NCDC to strengthen cooperative sugar mills (CSMs).
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The primary ministry responsible for matters related to sugar mills and the administration of the mentioned scheme.
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC): The agency through which Grant-in-Aid is channeled for the strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills.
North Eastern States: A region of India central to the policy's scope regarding sugar mill operations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1617
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025
SUGAR MILLS IN NORTH EASTERN STATES
1617. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be
pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total number of sugar mills in the country and the number of cooperative
sugar mills in the North Eastern Region thereoe
(b) whether it is fact that there is big shortage of sugar mills in North Eastern Region and if so,
the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of sugar mills which are inoperative/facing financial issues and need to be
revived; and
(d) the details of “Grant-in-Aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation o{CDC) for
strengthening of Cooperative Sugar Mills” scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) to (c): Currently total 575 sugar mills are registered on NSWS portal, Out of which 534
sugar mills were operational in sugar season 2024-25
.
There were 4 nos. sugar mills in north eastern region (Assam-3, Nagaland-1) which are not
operational. Out of which 2 nos. sugar mills (Assam) are cooperative.
The shortage of sugar mill in the north eastern region is majorly due to the unfavourable
climatic and geographical condition for sugarcane cultivation.
(d): The Government has formulated a scheme namely “Grant-in-aid to NCDC for strengthening
of Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSN4s)”. Under this scheme one time grant of Rs.1000.00 crore has
been provided to NCDC in two instalment of Rs.500.00 crore each in FY 2022-23 & FY 2024-25
for the purpose of borrowing additional fund from the market and providing loans of Rs.10,000crore to CSMs for setting up of Ethanol plant / Cogeneration plant and for meeting their working
capital requirement. Under the scheme, NCDC has disbursed Rs.10,005.45 crore to 56 CSN4s up to
31.03.2025
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