National policy on biofuels: Govt targets 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2030

New Delhi: In his address to mark the ‘World Biofuel Day 2018’ at an event held at New Delhi on 10th August, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that the ‘World Biofuel day’ is being observed since 2015 to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and to highlight the various efforts made by the Government in the biofuel sector.

Mr Pradhan said that the day reaffirms the government’s commitment to increase farmers’ income and improve the environment. He informed that several steps have been taken to improve the supply of ethanol for the blending programme that has resulted in supplies jumping from 38 crore litres in 2013-14 to about 141 crore litres in the ongoing season.

The Minister said that the Government has notified the new National Policy on Biofuels-2018, which envisages a target of 20 percent blending of ethanol in petrol by 2030. The policy has widened the scope of raw material for ethanol procurement.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi who chaired the inaugural session, unveiled a booklet on “National Policy on Biofuels 2018” at the event. Besides addressing a diverse gathering, consisting of farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, government officials, and legislators, Prime Minister also  launched the Pro Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub (PARIVESH).

Also present on the occasion were the top ministers from the union cabinet that included Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation; Mr Ramvilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Mr Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Environment, Forest & Climate Change.