Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has welcomed the government’s decision to lift the restrictions on ethanol production from sugarcane juice and B Heavy Molasses. Shinde said that the sugar factories and distilleries have received significant relief from this decision. He extended his gratitude to the central government. To address the challenges posed by the restrictions imposed last year, Chief Minister Shinde had consistently followed up with the central government. The restrictions have now been lifted for the ESY 2024-25.
In a major development for sugar mills, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) announced on August 29 that sugar mills and distilleries are permitted to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar syrup, B-heavy molasses, and C-heavy molasses during the ethanol supply year (ESY) 2024-25, in accordance with agreements and allocations with oil marketing companies (OMCs). These restrictions were imposed in December 2023, purportedly given rising sugar prices before the Lok Sabha election.
The other key decision the food department took yesterday was to allow the participation of distilleries in the FCI rice auction. Ethanol distilleries are allowed to participate in the rice auction of FCI, subject to certain compliances. A maximum of 23 lakh tonne rice will be allowed for lifting to ethanol distilleries, the food department said.
