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As the sugar industry is sitting on surplus, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari believes ethanol production will strengthen the financial condition of sugar mills and will aid them to reduce sugar glut.
Speaking on the current situation of sugar industry, he said sugar factories are struggling to sustain as they are not in good position.
While emphasising on ethanol production, Mr. Gadkari on July 4 said in Lok Sabha, “Sugar mills should now focus on manufacturing ethanol instead of producing the sugar.”
The Central Government has the vision to achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol by the next decade. According to the reports, the first milestone of 10 per cent of ethanol blending with petrol is on a verge to be achieved next year.
During the question Hour, Gadkari said, “Do not start a sugar mill, even by mistake. They are in bad shape.”
Recently, Maharashtra sugar commissioner, Mr. Shekhar Gaikwad, had furnished a proposal to CM Devendra Fadnavis proposing assistance of promotion of ethanol production from sugarcane juice in the state and request of support from the Government. He had also advocated for Rs 500 crore fund to assist sugar mills that want to either set up an ethanol production facility or expand the current one.
Sugar factories in the country have been facing issues with depressing sugar prices, surplus stocks, and piling cane arrears.
