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UPSC Prelims 2010 · Agriculture · Farm Money
Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Union Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane for each sugar season.
- Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
The Centre fixes the cane price each season.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT The Centre fixed the Statutory Minimum Price (now Fair and Remunerative Price) of sugarcane each season.
2. ✗ WRONG The key treats this as wrong — sugar had been removed from the Essential Commodities list framework in parts, and sugarcane is regulated under the Sugarcane (Control) Order instead.
Why the others are wrong
(b) Rejects the Centre’s cane price.
(c) Accepts the Essential Commodities claim the key rejects.
(d) Rejects the Centre’s cane price.
The trap
Sugar controls are famous, so statement 2 sounds safe.
🔒 SMP → FRP (2009). States may add SAP (UP, Punjab).