opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Ban on Tree Cutting
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4295

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Ban on Tree Cutting

## 4295. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the details of revenue loss to the States due to ban imposed on cutting of the trees used for commercial purposes during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  a  scheme  or  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  to compensate the affected States; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) to(c) The  Ministry  has  not  imposed  any  ban  on  tree  cutting.  However,  all  the  forest management  activities  including  fellings  are  regulated  as  per  the  Working  Plans prescriptions.  These  Working  Plans  are  approved  by  the  Government  of  India.  No such  data  regarding  revenue  loss  due  to  non  felling  is  maintained  at  the  level  of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the responsibility of forest management primarily vests with the State Governments.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Amendment in UAP Act & NIA Act
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4294

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2017/ CHAITRA 7, 1939 (SAKA)

AMENDMENT IN UAP ACT & NIA ACT

4294. SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  Draft  Amendments  to  the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to include the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (1980) in the second schedule apart from the nine treaties currently included;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  Draft  Amendments  to  the National  Investigation  Agency  Act  2008  recently  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  include  more  laws  under  the  NIA  Act apart from the eight acts over which it has jurisdiction and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): No bill has so far been introduced in the Parliament in this regard. However, a proposal for amendment in  the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,  1967  (UAPA)  which,    inter-alia,    includes  incorporation  of  words  'as amended  from  time  to  time'  at  the  end  of  the  entry - v  to  the  Second

## L.S.US.Q.NO.4294 FOR 28.03.2017

Schedule  to  UAPA  i.e.  'Convention  on  the  Physical  Protection  of  Nuclear Material (1980)'  had been put out in public domain for seeking comments of stake holders.

(e) & (f):    No bill has so far been introduced in the Parliament in this regard. However,  a  proposal  for  amendment  in  the  National  Investigation  Agency (NIA)Act, 2008, which, inter alia, includes incorporation of some acts/provisions  after entry - 8 in the  Schedule  to the  NIA Act, 2008  namely (i) Chapter - XI of the Information Technology Act, 2000(section 66F) (ii) The Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (iii) Offences  under - (a) Chapter VI of the Ranbir  Penal Code [section 121 to 130 (both inclusive)] (b) Section 489A to 489E  (both inclusive) of the Ranbir Penal Code (iv) Section 25 (1AA) of the Arms Act,1959 and (v) Section 370 and 370 A of Indian Penal Code, had been put out in public domain for comments of stake holders

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Use of Plastic Bags
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4288

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Use of Plastic Bags

## 4288:  SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  despite  notifying  Plastic  Waste  Management Rules, 2016, plastic bags below 50 microns are sold in markets;
- (b) if so, the number of cases registered against companies/manufacturers producing plastic bags below 40 microns during the last two years and the current year, State-wise;
- (c) the number of sellers and distributors punished during the said period, State-wise;
- (d) the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  for  reducing  the  circulation  of  plastic  bags irrespective of quality or microns; and
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to improve the capacity of recycling of wastes in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) to (c) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in their Annual Report 2015-16 on the implementation  of  Plastic  Waste  Management  Rules  has  reported  widespread  manufacturing, sale and use of prohibited carry bags across majority of the States and UTs. 312 unauthorized plastic  carry  bag  manufacturing  units  running  in  various  States  have  been  detected  and  local authorities  have  taken  appropriate  action  such  as  confiscation  of  stock,  issuing  of  closure directions, imposing penalty etc.
- (d) & (e) To  reduce  the  circulation  of  plastic  bags,  there  is  a  provision  in  the  rules  to promote the use of compostable carry bags and films (100% bio-based). The Rules also mandate the  local  bodies  to  encourage  the  use  of  plastic  waste  for  road  construction,  energy  recovery, waste  to  oil  etc.  Further,  every  local  body  is  responsible  for  development  and  setting  up  of infrastructure for segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of the plastic waste either on its own or by engaging agencies or producers.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Development of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardization
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA

O.I.H

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4287

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH   MARCH, 2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE, GRADINGAND STANDARDIZATION

4287.      SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the total amount of the funds approved and released to the agricultural dominated States under the various schemes till 31st December 2015 for agricultural production development of agricultural marketing infrastructure, grading and standardization;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the amount of the allocated funds is very meagre;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the corrective measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

(a): The erstwhile two schemes (i) Grameen Bhandaran Yojna (GBY), also known as Rural Godown Scheme; implemented since 01.04.2001 and (ii) Scheme  for Strengthening/ Development  of  Agricultural  Marketing  Infrastructure,  Grading  &  Standardization  (AMIGS) implemented since 20.10.2004, have been subsumed into sub-scheme 'Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure' (AMI) of Integrated Scheme of Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) since  01.04.2014.

The  scheme is demand driven and there is no state-wise allocation of funds. However, since inception of the AMIGS component of the scheme and up to 31.12.2015,  Rs. 1182.01 crore  has  been  allocated  out  of  which  Rs.  1114.83  crore  has  been  released  through channelizing  agencies  viz.  National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and State agencies for disbursement of subsidy to the eligible beneficiaries throughout the country.

(b) to (d): The scheme is demand driven and subsidy is released in 2 installments as per the scheme guidelines. Due to paucity of funds, the scheme has been temporarily unavailable since 05.08.2014 for new projects of General Category and from 31.12.2016 for SC/ST and NE States.  Budget  allocation  is  used  for  fulfilling  committed  liabilities.  The  scheme  is  being evaluated for continuation beyond 12 th Plan.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Use of Polish Technologies in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Richard Hay

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4286

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH   MARCH, 2017

## USE OF POLISH TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

4286.    PROF. RICHARD HAY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote the use of polish technologies for agriculture across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned/  likely  to  be  sanctioned  for  the  purpose  and  the achievements made in this field, so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) & (b): No, Madam.  However, an Agreement with Poland in the field of agriculture and allied sectors has been approved for signing.

Likely  benefits  from  signing  such  an  agreement  are  in  the  nature  of  capacity  building, knowledge exchange through visits of scientists and technicians, exchange of genetic resources etc.  that  aid  in  development  of  appropriate  technologies  and  farm  practices    for  enhancing agriculture productivity at farmer's field. Such  cooperation  also facilitates creation of opportunities for trade in agricultural commodities.  India's  strategic interests are also served through partnerships with other countries.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Crushing Capacity of Oilseeds
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA, LALLU SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4284

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2017

## CRUSHING CAPACITY OF OILSEEDS

4284.

SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

SHRI LALLU SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  edible-oil  industry  in  the  country  is  estimated  to  be  worth  Rs. 1,50,000 crore and more annually and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is possibility of further increasing the worth of the edible oil industry and if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether increasing import of oilseeds in place of edible oils in the country will help in generating additional employment opportunities along with boosting the industrial sector and if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the oilseed crushing capacity of the country is less than the edible oil  requirement  if  so,  the  details  thereof  indicating  the  total  oilseed  crushing capacity in 2016; and
- (e) whether the oilseed crushing capacity of the country has remained less due to non-availability of oilseeds in adequate quantity and if so, the total percentage of the average annual oilseed crushing capacity being utilised in  the country?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): Yes, Madam. As per Industry sources, the domestic turnover of the edibleoil industry is estimated over Rs. 200,000 crores including import-export turnover of about Rs. 85,000 crores per annum.
- (b) & (c): Crushing  of  oilseeds  is  being  done  in  the  unorganized  as  well  as organized  sector.  Domestic  crushing  and  solvent  extraction  industry's  capacity utilization is hardly 30% to 35% due to shortage of raw material. In order to make the  country  self-reliant  and  arrest  the  decline  of  production  and  productivity  of oilseeds the farmers are supported with modern technologies and seed infrastructure.  Increase  in  the  availability  of  oilseeds  will  augment  the  overall utilization of installed capacity  in the country  thereby  generating  additional employment opportunities.
- (d): The crushing capacity of oilseed in the country is less than the edible oil requirement. As per data available with the edible oil industry, the crushing capacity of oilseeds in the country is around 36 million tonnes.
- (e): The  major  reason  for  under-utilization  of  crushing  capacity  is  inadequate oilseed production leading to insufficient raw material. As per industry sources, the estimated utilization of oilseed crushing capacity is  around 30%.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Production of API
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4283

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 th  March, 2017

## Production of API

4283. SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any concrete measures to facilitate the indigenous production  and  supply  of  Active  Pharmaceutical  Ingredients  (API)  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken serious note of the heavy dependence on Chinese Markets for API and taken steps to reduce the same to avoid monopoly of China in this field;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the total quantity and value of API imported during the last three years; and
- (d) the action taken so far by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ROAD  TRANSPORT  AND  HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY  OF  SHIPPING  AND  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND  FERTILIZERS  (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a): The  policies  formulated  by  government  from  time  to  time  are  made  so  that  the country's dependence from imports are minimised.
- (b) & (c): The imports are mostly done on economic considerations. The details of India's total  imports  of  Active  Pharmaceutical  Ingredients  and  the  imports  from  China  during  the last three years are as under:

| Years   |   Total import (Rs. Crores) | Imports from China (Rs. Crores)   |
|---------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2013-14 |                     18991.1 | 12061.53 (63.51%)                 |
| 2014-15 |                     19833.2 | 12757.96 (64.33%)                 |
| 2015-16 |                     21216.9 | 13853.20 (65.29%)                 |

(Source   CMIE economic outlook)

(d): In order to reduce dependence on import, the Government had on 29.01.2016 notified the withdrawal of exemption in customs duties which were earlier given to certain categories of  drugs  and  bulk  drugs  to  provide  a  boost  to  the  domestic  manufacturers.  Further,  the government clears bottlenecks like environment clearance etc. which the manufacturers are facing, in order to give a boost to domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Neem Coated Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: PARESH RAWAL, SHARAD TRIPATHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4281 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Neem Coated Urea

## 4281  SHRI PARESH RAVAL: SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any mechanism to check the adequate availability of neem coated urea in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the steps being taken in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government has stopped the use of urea other than the neem coated ones and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE   MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, SHIPPING AND CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  to  (c):    Following  mechanism  is  ensured/adopted  to  check  the  adequate availability of neem coated urea in the country: -
- (I)  Before  the  commencement  of  each  cropping  season,  Department  of  Agriculture, Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DAC&FW),  in  consultation  with  all  the  State Governments, assesses the requirement of fertilizers. After assessment of requirement, DAC&FW projects month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
- (II)    On  the  basis  of  month-wise  &  state-wise  projection  given  by  DAC&FW, Department  of  Fertilizers  allocates  sufficient/  adequate  quantities  of  fertilizers  to States/Union Territories by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability through following system: -

- (i) The  movement  of  all  major  subsidized  fertilizers  is  being  monitored throughout the country by an on-line web based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
- (ii) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers  and  importers  of  fertilizers  for  streamlining  the  supplies through timely placement of indents for railway rakes through their state institutional agencies like Markfed etc.
- (iii) Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of  Fertilizers  (DoF),  and  Ministry  of  Railways  with  State  Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
- (iv) The  gap  between  demand  (requirement)  and  production  is  met  through imports.  The  import  for  the  season  is  also  finalised  well  in  advance  to ensure timely availability.

(d): Yes,  Madam.  Department  of  Fertilizers  has  started  supplyof  100%  Neem Coated Urea (NCU) w.e.f. December, 2015.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Banned Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4278

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 th  March, 2017

## Banned Drugs

4278. SHRI P. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  banned  the  manufacturing, sale  and use of approximately 350 drugs in the country on the basis of a study conducted by an expert committee;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the ban imposed by the Government has been enforced countrywide; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY  OF  SHIPPING  AND  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND  FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. C. K. Kokate on 16.09.2014 for examination of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) licensed to manufacture for sale in the country without due approval from  the  office  of  Drug  Controller  General  of  India  (DCGI).  On  the  basis  of  the recommendations of the said Expert Committee and in exercise of powers conferred by Section  26A  of  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Act,  1940  (23  of  1940),  the  Central Government prohibited the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution for human use of 344 drug fixed dose combination vide gazette notification dated 10.03.2016.
- (c) & (d): Various stakeholders filed various writ petition in different High Court across the country and the said notification was quashed by Hon'ble High Court of Delhi vide its order dated 01.12.2016. Further, the Union of India had already challenged the order of Delhi High Court before the Supreme Court by way of SLP. The same is yet to be listed.

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 4276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Target for Ethanol Production
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4276

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2017

## TARGET FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION

## 4276.   SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  targets  on  production  of  ethanol  blended fuel are being met, if so, the time by which more fuel outlets will be able to dispense ethanol blended fuel to consumers;
- (b) whether  the  ethanol  prices  fixed  and  sugar  mills  eyeing  higher realisation    from  non-ethanol  by-products,  molasses  and  rectified  spirit  are not helping distilleries that make ethanol for fuel blending, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) with cane output being lower in drought affected States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh resulting in scarcity of molasses for ethanol, whether the Government has drawn any contingency plans for the ethanol blended fuel production, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): Consequent  upon  various  measures  taken  by  the  Central  Government, the supply of ethanol for blending with petrol reached 111 crore liters in 2015-16 ethanol  season  (December,  2015  to  November,  2016).    In  the  current  season, about 19.5 crore litres of ethanol has so far been supplied to the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) by the sugar industry. The Central Government is implementing the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme (EBP) through OMCs under which, OMCs sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol upto 10% as per BIS specification, depending upon its availability.
- (b) & (c): The Central government has fixed the ex-mill price of ethanol at Rs 39 / litre for supply under EBP for ethanol year 2016-17. However, due to severe drought  in  the  major  sugar  producing  States  viz.  Maharashtra,  Karnataka  and Andhra  Pradesh,  the  availability  of  sugarcane  for  crushing  has  reduced  as compared to previous year resulting in less production of molasses and its short supply to distilleries.

The Government is promoting various Research and Development (R&D) Programmes for developing bio-fuel technologies, particularly second generation bio-fuel  technologies  for  production  of  ethanol  from  ligno-cellulosic  materials. Further, with a view to increase production of ethanol, the Government is also providing soft-loans of upto 40% of the project cost to the sugar mills for setting up ethanol projects under Sugar Development Fund.

****