The New Indian Express ·
Decision on 25% ethanol blending after panel submits report, says Pralhad Joshi
HUBBALLI: Amid the controversy over blending 20% ethanol with petrol, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, New and Renewable Energy and Education, Pralhad Joshi, has said that the Union Government has constituted a committee to increase the ethanol blending to 25%, but a decision would be taken depending on the committee’s recommendation.
Defending the ethanol blending policy, Joshi told the media in Hubballi on Tuesday that the policy was, actually, conceived during the tenure of the Vajpayee government in 2003-04 and implementation started during the UPA period, and blending was slightly over 1%. However, the Modi government has continued the policy to implement it in a phased manner and reached 20% blending, Joshi, who is MP from Dharwad, said.
Not reacting to those who have opposed the increase in ethanol blending with petrol, the union minister said that ethanol production has helped sugar factories clear the arrears owed to sugarcane growers.
