The government has ruled out decontrolling sugar prices. Replying to a discussion on the Essential Commodities Ordinance in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the Agriculture Minister, Mr. Sharad Pawar said that the present system of partial control will continue as it is beneficial to the farmers. He said only 20 per cent of sugar comes under control because it is used for the Public Distribution System and the rest is left to the open market. The Minister also rejected a suggestion for giving bonus to the cane growers, whose crop is purchased by private mill owners observing that the government is no where involved in the process. The Minister said that it was necessary to replace the concept of Minimum Price of sugarcane with Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) by giving a reasonable margin to the farmers on account of risk and profit. Later, the House passed the bill after negating amendments. The Lok Sabha had already adopted it earlier.<br/>