Ration shops will begin supplying sugar at Rs 20 per kg September 7 onwards following a state government directive issued on Saturday night and officials are now on their toes to ensure there's enough supply for the exercise that's expected to benefit close to 17 lakh ration cardholders in Pune district.

The beneficiaries include 15 lakh Above Poverty Line, 1.71 lakh Below Poverty Line, 70,000 Antoday and 1,200 Annapurna cardholders.

"Till now, each cardholder used to get half-a-kg sugar, procured from around four sugar firms around Pune district, every month. Now, cardholders will get Rs 1 kg at the subsidised rate. The government has earmarked 10 sugar companies in Pune and its outskirts to supply sugar," said Ravi Kulkarni, district supply officer.

"We are on a warpath and will be issuing orders for the procurement from the companies for the ration shops immediately. We should be able to meet the September 7 deadline," Kulkarni said.

The directive comes at a time when traders had been expecting sugar prices to further increase and touch Rs 35 per kg because of the festive season. District officials say they have been cracking down on traders hoarding sugar.

"Sugar is now selling at a slightly reduced rate of Rs 2,900 per quintal at the wholesale market, the retail price is around Rs 30 per kg. The spread of H1N1 virus has helped in cooling off demand, but district officers have also been conducting inspections on a regular basis to control hoarding," said Vijay Gujarati, president of the Pune Sugar Traders Association.

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