{
  "id": 3752079,
  "title": "Congress alleges ₹36,000-crore ‘sugar scam’ over festive price rise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/congress-alleges-36-000-crore-sugar-scam-over-festive-price-rise",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T14:13:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-alleges-36000-crore-sugar-scam-over-festive-price-rise/article71396128.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 27, 2026, the Congress party alleged that the Modi government facilitated a ₹36,000-crore \"sugar scam\" ahead of the festive season. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala accused the government of failing to address a sugar shortage, allowing hoarders and black-market operators to profit from a significant rise in sugar prices. Surjewala stated that the government knew of the shortage in April but did not take action. The opening stock of sugar for 2025-26 was 50 lakh tonnes, 30 lakh tonnes lower than the previous year. He claimed that around 120 lakh tonnes of sugar would be consumed between August and November, resulting in consumers paying an additional ₹36,000 crore due to the price increase from ₹45 to ₹75 per kg. Surjewala accused the government of collaborating with profiteers and black-market operators, stating that this was the Modi government's new tactic to rob the public. He also alleged that the government had used 32% of sugarcane stocks for producing E20 fuel, leaving less sugar available for consumers. Surjewala demanded the restoration of the previous Congress government's scheme of providing 500 grams of sugar to every family member at subsidized rates.",
  "summary": "Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the government had used 32% of sugarcane stocks to make E20 fuel between November 2025 and July 2026, leaving less sugar available in the market for consumers",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}