Summary: The Central Government has amended the sugar stock-holding restrictions prescribed under S.O. 4165(E), dated 28 July 2026. With effect from 15 September 2026, a sugar dealer will generally not be permitted to keep stock exceeding 2,000 quintals at any time or place. An exception has been provided for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas, where the maximum permissible stock will remain 4,000 quintals. The specified Kolkata areas will be determined according to the Schedule to West Bengal Government Notification No. 7752/FS/F.5/14R92/61, dated 16 December 1964. The principal order also restricts a dealer from holding sugar stock for more than 30 days from its receipt, requires regular declaration and updating of stock on the Department of Food and Public Distribution portal, and remains effective from 1 August 2026 to 30 November 2026.
Sugar Stock Limit Cut to 2,000 Quintals from Sept 15
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(Department of Food and Public Distribution)
ORDER
New Delhi, the 3rd September, 2026
S.O. 4907(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) read with clauses 7 and 16 of the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendments in the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Food and Public Distribution number S.O. 4165(E), dated the 28th July, 2026, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), dated 28th July, 2026, namely:—
In the said notification, in paragraph 1,—
(i) for the words and figures “in excess of 4000 quintals”, the words and figures “in excess of 2000 quintals, except in case of Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas, where the stock shall not exceed 4000 quintals” shall be substituted;
(ii) after the proviso, the following explanation shall be inserted, namely:—
“Explanation.—In this paragraph, Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas shall mean the areas specified in the Schedule to the notification of the Government of West Bengal No. 7752/FS/F.5/14R92/61, dated the 16th December, 1964.”.
2. This order shall come into force on the 15th day of September, 2026.
[F. No. 1(2)/2026-SP-I]
ASHWINI SRIVASTAVA, Jt. Secy.
Note: The principal order was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 4165(E), dated the 28th July, 2026.
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Principal Order—S.O. 4165(E), Dated 28 July 2026
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(Department of Food and Public Distribution)
ORDER
New Delhi, the 28th July, 2026
S.O. 4165(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) read with clauses 7 and 16 of the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, the Central Government hereby directs that no dealer of sugar shall hold any stock for a period exceeding thirty days from the date of receipt of such stock and shall not keep sugar in stock at any time and in any place throughout the country in excess of 4000 quintals;
Provided that nothing in this order shall apply to the holding or keeping of stock of sugar,—
(i) on Government account; or
(ii) by the dealers nominated by the State Government or an officer authorised by it to hold stock for distribution through fair price shops under the Public Distribution System.
2. The State Governments or Union territory Administrations shall fix the stock-holding and turnover limits in their respective States or Union territory Administrations, subject to the condition that the stock-holding limit and the turnover period shall not be higher than the limit or period specified herein.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this notification, for counting the period of holding of the stock, the date on which any stock is received by the dealer shall be included.
3. It shall be mandatory for all dealers to declare and regularly update the stock position of sugar on the portal, i.e., https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in/, of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
4. This Order shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of August, 2026 and shall remain in force up to the 30th day of November, 2026.
[F. No. 1(2)/2026-SP-I]
ASHWINI SRIVASTAVA, Jt. Secy.
