Bhopal, Oct 19 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh has amended the State Sugar Trade Order 2009 to exempt institutions, hospitals, state-run working women’s hostels and educational institutions, local bodies and registered trusts from its ambit, officials said Monday.
It has also redefined a retailer as a person, partnership firm, society, corporation or registered body engaged in the trade or sale or storage of less than 20 quintals of sugar at a time.

The state’s sugar traders had recently called on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Civil Supplies Paras Minister Chand Jain, urging them to remove practical problems that they faced.

According to the sources, they were assured of appropriate action in this connection.

However, the government has made it clear that Sugar Licence and Control Order would remain in force in the state.

As per the latest amendment, a licensee wholesaler will not be allowed to store sugar for more than 45 days or more than 2,000 quintals at a time.

Additionally, prior permission will have to be taken from the competent authority before shifting the place of stock. The district collector will have to be told in advance where the sugar is being transported.

Wholesalers will also have to maintain a register of daily stock position, purchase and sale.

The amendment permits stocking of sugar for seven days at a place for transportation. However, the transporter will have to maintain a register showing entries of receipt and dispatch of sugar and the the trader’s licence number.

Such a stock will be construed as legal and will be counted in the declared maximum storage limit.

Wholesale consumers will not be allowed to stock sugar for their own consumption for more than 15 days.