Ahead of polls, govt acts tough to keep a lid on sugar, wheat prices; penalises those selling more sugar than their quota

The Indian government has increased vigilance on agricultural commodity companies and traders to control food prices ahead of the general election. The government has penalised nearly 80 sugar firms for selling more than their quota, asked wheat companies to disclose their stock during the harvest season, and directed rice exporters to pay export duty even on freight charges to discourage exports.