The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, issued a vital memorandum, F. No. 4/1/2018-(BP&E)(Part), on 21.12.2023. This memorandum lays out guidelines for measuring ethanol production from different feedstocks, highlighting careful assessment and separate identification of ethanol outputs from various sources.
These guidelines originate from the Indian government’s instruction to mix ethanol with petrol, a strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources. The DFPD, responsible for executing the ethanol blending program (EBP), takes on the duty of ensuring a steady supply of ethanol from diverse feedstocks.
These guidelines are based on the recommendations made by a committee led by the Director of the National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur. This committee explored the complex process of ethanol production, providing specific parameters for measuring the quality of molasses and outlining criteria for measuring ethanol production from grains. Their findings highlighted the need for careful data recording and verification by state authorities to precisely quantify ethanol outputs from each unique feedstock.
The memorandum consists of distinct sections that convey the core of these guidelines:
Section 1: Introduction
This section sets the stage for the memorandum, explaining the government’s requirement to mix ethanol with petrol. It emphasizes the DFPD’s role in managing the ethanol blending program and ensuring ethanol availability from diverse feedstocks.
Section 2: Committee and its recommendations
Here, the committee led by NSI’s Director is in focus, summarizing its main suggestions, including parameters for measuring molasses quality and criteria for measuring ethanol production from grains.
Section 3: Guidelines for assessment of ethanol production
This crucial section clarifies detailed guidelines for measuring ethanol production from different feedstocks. It assigns roles for distilleries, state authorities, and the DFPD, stressing accurate data recording and verification processes.
Section 4: Conclusion
The memorandum ends by stressing the importance of following these guidelines, effective right away upon issuance. It requests cooperation from stakeholders and provides contact information for DFPD officials for further questions or clarifications.
These guidelines are a significant step toward ensuring clarity and efficiency in ethanol production, aligning with the government’s green energy goals. They not only create a strong framework for assessment but also seek active involvement from stakeholders to achieve EBP targets.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article by Dilip Patil, Managing Director of Samarth SSK Ltd., are solely his own.
