Lok Sabha Question No. 1240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Conversion of Land
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1240 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  February, 2023

## Conversion of Land

## 1240. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is taking steps to prevent the excessive conversion of land under cultivation of feedstock-agricultural products into ethanol land;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  concerns  of  the  experts  that  such change in the land-use pattern would affect the food security of India;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  the aforementioned menace;
- (d)  whether any monetary  subsidy  is  given  to  OEMs  (Original  Equipment Manufacturers  or  Automobile  Manufacturers),  who  invest  in  the  internal combustion  engine  value  chain  suitable  for  ethanol  blending  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (e)  whether any research has been undertaken by the Government on the need of converting cultivable land for ethanol-producing crops cultivation; and
- (f)  if so, details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ) ी रामेर तेली (

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (c): As per the Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India, land comes under the  purview  of  State  Governments  and,  therefore,  it  is  for  them  to  take  suitable steps to tackle the problems of conversion of agricultural land for other purposes. However, Government  of India supplements all efforts of States, through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support.

The Government is already implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which provides an overarching policy framework for climate actions in the  country  with  eight  Missions.  Under  the  aegis  of  the  NAPCC,  the  National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is anchored by the Ministry of Agriculture and

Farmers  Welfare.  This  focuses  on  the  agriculture  sector  with  the  objectives  of resource conservation, restoration of soil fertility and productivity. The focus is on integrated farming, water use efficiency and soil health management, especially in rainfed agriculture areas. Drought tolerant and water logging tolerant varieties/hybrids  of  different  crops  have  also  been  developed  and  released  by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

(d):  A  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  is  being  implemented  by Ministry of Heavy Industries for Automobile and Auto Component Industry with a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938/- Crore for a period of 5 years. The scheme incentivizes  Electric  Vehicles  and  Advanced  Automotive  Technology  products including Flex Fuel Engine and its components. (e) & (f): The Task Force on sugarcane and sugar industry constituted under the Chairmanship of  Member (Agriculture), Niti Aayog, as outlined in the Roadmap for  Ethanol  Blending in India 2020-25 has recommended diversification towards more environmentally sustainable crops for ethanol production like cereals, maize, etc.

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