Central government to invest Rs 30,000 crore in ethanol production

Solapur: The central government is taking several steps to increase ethanol production in the country. The government has decided to invest Rs 30,000 crore for the ethanol production sector. This will boost the ethanol production and will provide relief to the sugarcane cultivators, said BJP leader and former cooperative minister Harshavardhan Patil

The Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps for the welfare of the cane farmers and the decision taken by the government will boost the sugar sector, he said.

Opposition is unnecessarily taking up the issue of farm laws and opposing government using farmers. The laws are actually in the interest of the farmers, he said.

Brazil is the leading ethanol producer in the world and the demand is increasing as the fuel is environment friendly. Now we can blend 10% ethanol with petrol and the percentage will increase to 20% soon. At present India needs 10,000 crore ethanol to sustain domestic needs and instead of importing we are focusing on domestic production, he said.

In order to boost ethanol production, the government has increased ethanol price by Rs 3 per litre and the decision will benefit sugar mills. Around 116 sugar mills are involved in ethanol production and they have sold 22 lakh litre ethanol this year. The mills get their payments for ethanol sold in three weeks that helps them to strive financially, he said.