The Centre is considering to raise import duty on white sugar to 20 per cent to check it from flooding the domestic market. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, Food Minister K V Thomas said a decision in this regard would be taken soon. He informed that a cabinet note will be moved in the next 15 days after consultation with the concerned ministries.

Mr Thomas added, the government is also looking at scrapping the import duty on raw sugar. He said, it is necessary as imported sweetener would be refined in the domestic market, generating employment.

AIR correspondent reports, at present, import duty on white sugar as well as raw sugar is at 10 per cent each.