The Union Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs is contemplating a 12 per cent interest subsidy to sugar mills and 5 per cent to farmers. There has been a face-off between it and the finance ministry over the interest subsidy for farmers. The finance ministry says the move is anti-farmer and wants a hike in the subsidy for farmers. A 5 per cent subsidy would mean that the centre will have to foot a Rs 550 crore bill, while a 12 per cent interest support would cost it Rs 1,350 crore.