Patna: Trade, industry bodies and farmers in Bihar have welcomed the approval of the ethanol production promotion policy, 2021 by the state cabinet on Tuesday. The experts say that the policy will help in reducing pollution. The policy will also help the sugarcane farmers to increase their income as the ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane including other crops.
Currently, the bioethanol blending in petrol in the country stands at 10%, and the government has set a target of 20% bioethanol blending of petrol by 2030. The Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) procures ethanol from domestic producers at the rate fixed by the government.
According to the news report published by The Times of India, Ashok Kumar Ghosh, chairman of, Bihar State Pollution Control Board said, “The use of Ethanol Blended Petrol will help in reducing the pollution. It will also slow down the depletion of natural petroleum resources,”
N K Thakur, vice-president, Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) said that the policy will boost the overall economy of Bihar. “The policy will help in generating employment for the people of the state,” he said.
A Riga-based farmer said, “Since the sugar mills have stopped operating, I started cultivating other crops to survive. I hope the government fulfils its promises and brings better days for the farmers.”
