Recent reports suggesting a potential reduction in ethanol production by discouraging the use of sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses have prompted a clarification from the government.
As per media reports, government sources said that here is no proposal under consideration to reduce ethanol production as yet.
Earlier reports had indicated that, in light of deficit rainfall and to ensure sufficient sugar production, India was contemplating measures to reduce the use of sugar for ethanol production.
The current ethanol production capacity in India is 1,364 crore litres and is sufficient to meet the fuel blending targets, the Centre informed Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, prepared by an inter-ministerial committee, estimated an ethanol requirement of 1,016 crore litres to achieve 20 per cent blending targets in ESY 2025-26. In line with the roadmap, oil marketing companies have achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending during 2021-22 and 12 per cent during 2022-23.
