NEW DELHI, :
RECENTLY, Government of Bihar has announced a New Excise Policy, wherein
total ban has been imposed on liquor. Government of Bihar had requested
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to explore whether the oil
companies would be able to lift the entire ethanol produced by the
distilleries in Bihar.
The Central Government is keen
to undertake developmental works more specifically for the agriculture
sector in the State of Bihar. The proposal of Government of Bihar has
been considered by
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in consultation
with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). OMCs under MoP&NG have
informed that about 6 crore litres of ethanol may be produced in Bihar
through molasses route. OMCs will strive to absorb this ethanol for EBP
to help the State of Bihar. This initiative is likely to give about Rs
300 crore to the farmers of the State through sugar mills /
distilleries. This will also ensure proper utilization of molasses in
the State.
The NDA Government is committed to promote
alternate renewable source of energy such as Bio-ethanol and Bio-diesel
which would reduce our dependency on import of crude oil, address
growing environment issues and provide better remuneration to the
farmers. As a step in this direction, Government of India is running
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme in 21 States and 4 UTs with
immediate target to achieve 10% ethanol blending in Petrol. In-order to
support the Domestic Industry, Government has also decided to source
ethanol from domestic sources only.
In the past,
Ethanol supplies were enough to meet only 30% of the blending
requirement. During the sugar year 2013-14 only 38 crore litres of
ethanol could be supplied for EBP Programme. In-order to give a stimulus
to this programme, Government in December'2014 enhanced the Ethanol
procurement price and opened alternate route including Lignocelluloses
route for Ethanol production. Oil Marketing Companies also eased the
procurement process for the benefit of suppliers.
All
these steps have helped in doubling the ethanol supplies during the
Sugar Year 2014-15 wherein 67.42 crore litres have been supplied for
blending in Petrol. This year OMCs have floated tender for 266 crore
litres of ethanol procurement to meet 10% blending target. There is
considerable improvement in the response from the Sugar Industry which
has offered more than 135 crore litres for the current sugar year.
Other
plans specifically for the State of Bihar include, capacity expansion
of IOCL Barauni Refinery from 6 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA, up gradation of this
refinery to produce BS-VI quality products, integration of this refinery
to produce other value added options/specialty products and
establishment of Petro-chemical complex at Begusarai, Bihar.