Sugar output may dip 11% from initial estimate: Government

NEW DELHI: Sugar production during the current season (Oct-Sept) is estimated around 306 lakh tonnes, 11% lower than the initial projection of 343 lakh tonnes for the year by sugarcane-growing states, govt said Friday. It also dismissed allegations of diversion of sugar for ethanol production hitting availability of the sweetener and spike in prices, stating that smaller amount of sugar goes for ethanol production than was the case a few years ago.