NEW DELHI, AUGUST 21 — Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched a sharp attack against central economic planning on Thursday, linking rising retail sugar prices directly to the government’s ethanol-blending directives.
The opposition leader argued that diverting significant agricultural yields toward energy production depleted local stocks, driving prices up by ₹20 per kilogram over a 17-day period.
“Sugar that was ₹46 per kilogram 17 days ago is now ₹65 per kilogram,” asserted Arvind Kejriwal during his video address. He added that the policy negates its original purpose of preserving foreign currency reserves, as capital saved on crude oil imports will now likely be spent to secure overseas sugar shipments.
Criticizing administrative decision-making, the AAP leader maintained that central authorities acted without anticipating long-term impacts on consumer markets. He argued that domestic buyers are facing a double burden of inflated grocery costs and decreased fuel efficiency in vehicles using blended petrol.
He further referenced historical economic measures, asserting that major policy shifts under the current administration—including past demonetization efforts—have consistently failed to deliver public benefits.
