According to the media report, Cabinet Secretary is likely to hold a review meet this week on ethanol production.
As per report by CNBC-TV18, there could be a review of producing ethanol from B-heavy molasses and sugarcane juice.
The Food Ministry, in early December, directed sugar mills not to use cane juice or syrup to produce ethanol. In a U-turn, the central government, in mid-December, allowed the utilization of juice as well as B-heavy molasses to produce ethanol but capped the diversion of sugar at 17 lakh tonnes for the current marketing season.
The government capped sugar diversion for ethanol making at 17 lakh tonnes for the current 2023-24 season in view of likely fall in sugar production in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Last month, ISMA (India Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association) requested the government to permit diversion of additional 10-12 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production in the current season, amid reports of higher output.
The government is ambitious of attaining 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol by 2024-25 and 30 per cent by 2029-30.
In order to achieve the target of 20% blending by 2025, about 1016 crore litres of ethanol is required and total requirement of ethanol including for other uses is 1350 crore litres. For this, about 1700 crore liters of ethanol producing capacity is required to be in place by 2025 considering plant operates at 80% efficiency.
