Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday urged the Central government to maintain its policy of allowing ethanol production from sugarcane juice and to increase the price of ethanol to prevent losses for sugarcane farmers.
He announced in the Assembly that a meeting with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will be held this month regarding these demands, expressing confidence that the Central government will make decisions in the best interest of sugarcane farmers.
Addressing concerns raised by members Jayant Patil and Rajesh Tope, Pawar mentioned that the Central government previously promoted ethanol production from sugarcane juice and provided loans for these projects at a six percent interest rate. However, to control sugar prices and avoid shortages, the policy on ethanol production was changed. With record sugar production now in the state and country, Pawar has stressed that “there is a need to rethink the ban on ethanol production from sugarcane juice.” He further said, “Informal discussions with Amit Shah were positive. Hopefully, efforts will be made to sort out the issue by meeting him within a month after the end of the legislative session.”
