Lok Sabha Question No. 711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-02
Subject: Use of Bio-fuel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 711 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd DECEMBER, 2021

## Use of Bio-fuel

## †711. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

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

- (a)  the measures being taken by the Government to ensure taking more initiatives and the more and more use of technical development in bio fuel sector;
- (b) the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  more  and  more utilisation of bio-fuel in the country including Gujarat; and
- (c)  whether  the  residents  of  the  tribal  and  rural  areas  in  Gujarat,  especially  in Dahod  are  also  likely  to  bebenefitted  from  more  and  more  utilisation  of technical development in bio fuel sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Government notified the National Policy on Biofuels (NPB) - 2018 on 04.06.2018 to promote the use of biofuels in the country. The NPB envisages an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2030 and 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030.

Some of the activities undertaken for technological development in the biofuel sector are as follows:

-  Department of Biotechnology is promoting innovation Research, Development and Demonstration in Biofuel areas through various Schemes like the Centre of Excellence, extramural projects, fellowship schemes, and international cooperation.
-  Department of Biotechnology is supporting projects to ease the utilization of biofuels by making them cost effective. In Gujarat, Department of

Biotechnology  is  implementing  a  project  on  self-sustainable  model  for energy  generation  by  adopting  clean  technology  for  conversion  of  mixed organic waste into methane and bio-fertilizer.

-  Collaboration of IOC R&D with Department of Biotechnology, in the area of Bioenergy.
-  Development of integrated 2G ethanol enzymatic technology using biomass feedstock such as rice straw, wheat straw, bagasse etc.
-  Development and successful demo of raw material agnostic high yield Biomethanation technology to produce bio-gas.
-  Development of agri waste pre-treatment technology for in-situ preparation of feed for bio-gas units.
-  Collaborative research with IISC, Bengaluru for development of technology to  produce  fuel  cell  grade  hydrogen  from  biomass  to  tackle  biomass challenge while improving ambient air quality.

(b)  &  (c):  The  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  the  use  of biofuelsin  the  Country  including  Gujarat,  includes  allowing  use  of  sugarcane and  food  grains  (maize  and  surplus  stocks  of  rice  with  Food  Corporation  of India)  for conversion to ethanol; administered price mechanism for procurement of ethanol under EBP Programme including enhanced ex-mill price of ethanol year on year from ethanol supply year 2017; lowered GST rate to 5% on ethanol and biodieselfor EBP and biodiesel blending Programme respectively; amendment in Industries (Development & Regulation) Act for free movement of ethanol;  interest  subvention  scheme  for  enhancement  and  augmentation  of ethanol production capacity in the country;opened 2G route for procurement of ethanol; allowing direct sale of bio-diesel (B100) for blending with High Speed Diesel etc.

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