Patna: State rural development department minister Shrawan Kumar on Friday claimed the recent rise in sugar prices was unlikely to have much impact, as people had become cautious about their sugar intake amid increasing cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes.“Due to increasing cases of diabetic patients, people are not taking sweets. They take less sweets,” Kumar said. He added, “A large number of people are suffering from diabetes. I don’t think the rise in the price of sugar will make much of a difference.”Kumar, a JD(U) quota minister in the Samrat Choudhary-led NDA govt, made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Friday. His statement soon went viral on social media, drawing surprise and criticism.RJD state spokesman Ejaj Ahmad hit out at Kumar, saying the rising price of sugar was hurting people who start their day with tea.“Shrawan Kumar is a minister and he can afford the rising price of sugar, and also be insensitive to concerns of people,” Ahmad said. He blamed the central govt’s policy of using sugar cane to produce ethanol for blending with petrol.Ahmad also took a dig at PM Narendra Modi, saying the latter had often described himself as someone who rose in life by selling tea.Meanwhile, sugar is selling at Rs 64 per kg in the retail market in Patna, up Rs 16 over the past week, said grocery shop owner Vikas Kumar in S K Nagar. He said onion prices were also rising sharply with the vegetable currently selling at Rs 48 per kg and likely to touch Rs 60 or more after the Rakshabandhan festival on Aug 28.
