Bihar Minister’s remark on impact of sugar price rise invites criticism

Bihar Minister's remark on impact of sugar cost rise invites criticism 'Due to increasing cases of diabetic patients, residents are not taking sweets.

Key points

• The Minister's comment invited criticism from Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
• A Bihar Cabinet Minister has gone viral on social media with his comments on rising sugar rates nationwide.
• Independent MP from Purnea Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav slammed Mr.
• Due to increasing cases of diabetic patients, individuals are not taking sweets.

Meanwhile, a Bihar Cabinet Minister has gone viral on social media with his comments on rising sugar rates nationwide. Bihar Rural Development Department Minister Shrawan Kumar, an MLA of the Janata Dal (United) informed media persons on Friday (August 21, 2026) that "everyone has diabetes these days, so sugar price rise will not matter much", a remark that raised eyebrows. The cost of sugar has gone up from ₹48-50 last week to ₹65-68 on Friday.

"Due to increasing cases of diabetic patients, individuals are not taking sweets. Everyone is suffering from diabetes. I don't think the cost rise of sugar will produce much difference for individuals.they take highly less sweets these days, " Mr. Kumar, who additionally holds the Information and Public Relations portfolio in the BJP-led NDA administration informed media in his Assembly constituency of Nalanda.

"Sugar prices across India have surged up to ₹65-70 per kilogram due to multiple reasons: heavy diversion of sugarcane towards government's ethanol-blending programme (E20), a tight domestic inventory buffer ahead of peak festive demand season like upcoming Rakhi festival and also less mill releases, " a Rural Development Department official, seeking anonymity, informed The Hindu.

In practice, the Minister's comment invited criticism from Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal. "Shrawan Kumar is a Minister and he can afford the rising price of sugar and remain insensitive to the concerns of common people.the hike in price of sugar has happened because of the wrong policy of the Central government, " remarked party spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad adding that the rising sugar rate has "hit common people who start their day with a cup of tea".

Independent MP from Purnea Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav slammed Mr. Kumar for his comments on the matter. "The biggest 'diabetes' is the government itself.when prices of cooking gas were up, many prominent leaders were raising questions but, when there is hike in sugar prices, they are talking about diabetes, " Mr. Yadav remarked.

To this, Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha remarked: "There has been significant increase in price of sugar but, I personally feel happy when the price of my farmer's produce increases.we'll find the reason for hike in sugar price as we have a Minister responsible for sugar production".

Nevertheless, Sugarcane Industries Minister Sanjay Kumar Paswan informed The Hindu that "Bihar has no dearth of sugar so there is no point of its price hike.we've written letters to the district magistrates to take strict action over hoarding of sugar for more than seven days in their respective areas."

In short, bihar Minister's remark on impact of sugar price rise invites criticism is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.