Cabinet approves Rs 355/quintal fair price for sugarcane; greenlights Rs 22,864 cr Shillong-Silchar highway project

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved several significant decisions impacting agriculture, infrastructure, and social policy.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet has approved the Fair and Remunerative Price ( FRP) for sugarcane at Rs 355 per quintal for the 2025-26 sugar season, starting October 1, 2025. This move aims to support around five crore sugarcane farmers across the country.

To further protect the interests of farmers with lower sugar recovery rates, the government has decided not to impose any deductions for mills with recovery below 9.5%. In such cases, farmers will receive Rs 329.05 per quintal.

The sugar sector is a major agro-based industry in India, providing employment to over five lakh mill workers and numerous others in ancillary sectors like transportation and farm labor.

Rs 22,864-crore Infrastructure Push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led cabinet also approved a Rs 22,864 crore highway project connecting Shillong (Meghalaya) to Silchar (Assam). The 166.80 km four-lane Greenfield access-controlled highway—part of National Highway No. 06—will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model.

• Project coverage: 144.80 km in Meghalaya, 22 km in Assam
• Economic impact: Boosts connectivity in the Northeast, supports tourism, and facilitates industrial growth in Meghalaya’s cement and coal-producing zones.
• Tourism potential: Will link Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar airports to scenic tourist destinations, enhancing regional accessibility.

"This critical infrastructure project will improve inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong & Silchar traverses through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia hills, East Jaintia hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam reduce congestion on existing NH-06 and enhance transport infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan," the official press release stated.

Caste enumeration in next census

In a major policy shift, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has decided to include caste-based enumeration in the next national census.

This decision, as announced by minister Vaishnaw, is likely to influence social welfare planning and data-driven policymaking.