Cabinet Raises Sugarcane Fair Price By 4.41% For 2025–26
The cabinet has also approved the development of a 166.8-km greenfield high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam.
The Union Cabinet has approved a fair and remunerative price of sugarcane by 4.41% to Rs 355 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10.25% for the upcoming 2025–26 season, beginning October.
During a press briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that with a view to protect the interest of sugarcane farmers, the government has also decided that there would not be any deduction in case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5%. "Such farmers will get Rs 329.05 per quintal sugarcane in the ensuing sugar season 2025–26."
The FRP is the minimum price mandated by the Union government that sugar mills are legally obligated to pay sugarcane farmers for their produce. The FRP has been determined on the basis of recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and after consultation with state governments and other stakeholders.
The cost of production of sugarcane for the sugar season 2025–26 is Rs 173 per quintal. This FRP of Rs 355 per quintal at a recovery rate of 10.25% is higher by 105.2% over production cost. "The FRP for sugar season 2025–26 is 4.41% higher than current sugar season 2024–25," according to the official release.
The FRP approved will be applicable for purchase of sugarcane from the farmers in the sugar season 2025–26 (starting Oct. 1, 2025) by sugar mills.
Cabinet Approves Northeast Highway Project
The cabinet has also approved the development of a 166.8-km greenfield high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam on hybrid annuity mode at a total cost of Rs 22,864 crore.
"The project length of 166.80 km (NH-6) lies in Meghalaya (144.80 km) and Assam (22 km)," Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced during the press briefing.
Vaishnaw said that the proposed greenfield high-speed corridor would improve the service level for the traffic moving from Guwahati to Silchar.
"The development of this corridor will improve the connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak Valley region of Assam from mainland and Guwahati with substantially reduced travel distance and travel time. This will, in turn, contribute to the enhancement of logistics efficiency of the nation," he said.
The corridor will improve connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya and will spur economic development, including development of industries in Meghalaya, as it passes through cement and coal production areas of Meghalaya.
This corridor will cater to the national and international tourists coming from well-connected Guwahati Airport, Shillong Airport, Silchar Airport (via existing NH-06) connecting Guwahati to Silchar. "This would connect scenic places of tourist attraction in the North-East and promote tourism," Vaishnaw highlighted.
This critical infrastructure project will improve inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar traverses through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia hills, East Jaintia hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam reduce congestion on existing NH-06 and enhance transport infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Vaishnaw said the project alignment integrates with major transport corridors, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, NH-37, providing seamless connectivity to Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, Kalain.
