Lok Sabha Question No. 1549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-12
Subject: Production of Ethanol
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, S. RAJENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1549

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  FEBRUARY, 2019

## PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL

1549.   SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

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

- (a) the total quantum of production of ethanol in the country during each of the last three years and the estimated production in the current year;
- (b) whether  the  Government  targets  on  production  of  ethanol  blended fuel are being met, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the ethanol produced form molasses instead of sugarcane is more useful and beneficial and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the production of ethanol directly from sugarcane is permitted in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the name of major mills which are producing ethanol directly from sugarcane; and
- (e) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to increase the production of ethanol and promote its usage in the country?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a): Ethanol produced from molasses in the country is primarily used for supply  under  Ethanol  Blended  Petrol  (EBP)  Programme.  During  last  three ethanol years (December-November) i.e. 2015-2016, 2016-2017 & 2017-2018, ethanol  supplies  under  EBP  have  been  respectively  111  crore  litres,  66.5 crore  litres  and  151  crore  litres.  During  current  ethanol  year  2018-2019; contracts  for  supply  of  about  235  crore  litres  of  ethanol  have  so  far  been finalized.

- (b): As indicated in reply to part (a) above, the production and supply of ethanol during last ethanol year i.e. 2017-2018 was about 151 crore litres as against the required target of 314 crore litres. The shortfall has been mainly due to shortage of ethanol production capacity in the country.
- (c): The fuel grade ethanol has specified purity level of 96.6% or above. For  the  purpose  of  blending,  there  is  no  difference  between  the  ethanol produced either from molasses or directly from sugarcane juice.
- (d): As per National Policy on Bio-Fuels -2018, fuel grade ethanol is now allowed to be produced directly from sugarcane juice. Suitable amendments to  this  effect  have  also  been  made  in  the  Sugarcane  (Control)  Order,  1966 vide Notification No. S.O. 3663(E)/Ess.Com./Sugarcane dated 26.07.2018. As per  information  available  in  this  Department,  M/s  Shree  Tatyasaheb  Kore Warana  Sahakari  Sakhar  Karkhana  Limited,  Maharashtra and  M/s  Shree Renuka  Sugars  Limited,  Athani,  Karnataka   are  producing  ethanol  directly from sugarcane juice.
- (e): Under the Scheme for Extending Financial Assistance to Sugar Mills for Enhancement & Augmentation of Ethanol Production Capacity, 114 proposals for enhancement/augmentation of ethanol production capacity have  been  accorded  in-principle  approval  for  availing  loan  from  banks amounting  to  Rs.  6139.08  Crore for  which  interest  subvention of  Rs.  1332 Crore shall be borne by the Government. Besides, the Government has also notified  remunerative price @ Rs. 43.46/litre for supply of ethanol produced from  C-Heavy  molasses  under  EBP.  Separately,  remunerative  prices  for ethanol  produced  from  B-Heavy  molasses  and  sugarcane  juice  have  also been fixed @ Rs. 52.43/litre and Rs. 59.13/litre respectively.

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