Union Minister Pradhan says India to have Biofuel Policy soon

Highlighting the various efforts made by the Government in the BioFuel sector, Pradhan said that The World BioFuel Day will be celebrated across 100 districts of the country in various states to create awareness about the bio fuel programme.

These awareness campaigns are scheduled to be held between August  11 and 14, 2017 in partnership with stakeholders of the Bioenergy sector.

The Minister highlighted that the energy needs for Transportation and Domestic use in the country requires for 80 percent import of crude. to . Shri

Pradhan said that a roadmap on the use of biofuels will help to cut down the crude import by 10% by 2022.

Promoting biofuels creates jobs, fosters economic growth, supports farmers and helps improve energy security for country, the minister said.

He said that the Ministry will be coming out with the BioFuel Policy soon.

The policy will taken into consideration various facets like Role of Government, Return on investment, Minimum Assurance etc.

Recently Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been made responsible for BioFuel Policy.

The Minister said that both the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will be working towards more utilisation of biofuels.

Pradhan said that approx $2 billion is being invested by government companies by way of R&D on Second Generation (2G) Biofuel Refineries across the country. 

Ways are being explored on conversion of urban, rural waste to fuel; use of waste/barren lands for cultivation of feedstock for 2G biofuels.

The Minister said that the potential for the bio fuel industry in India would be around Rs 1 Lakh Crore in the next 1 to 2 years.

Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari stressed upon the importance of biofuels as cost effective and environment friendly substitutes to conventional fuels. 

He said that besides bringing down pollution, biofuels produced indigenously from agricultural waste, plants like bamboo, non-edible oilseeds, or municipal waste  will help  reduce  the country’s huge import burden.

In addition , it will also  generate employment and boost the economy of rural areas, including the North East and the barren wastelands of the country, said Gadkari.

Gadkari said, a  Biofuel Policy will be a major milestone in the socio-economic development of the country .

He also announced that he will ask the Finance Minister to reduce the GST on bio-diesel from the current 18 percent to 5 percent.

Talking about the  transport sector, the Minister said that the automobile growth in the country is an unsustainable 22 percent.

So efforts are on in a big way to promote public  transport based on  cheaper and greener biofuels and electricity.

India has brought in the necessary regulations for flexi engines, the minister said.

Nagpur city is running  55 buses on 100 percent bio ethanol and another 50 on Bio CNG derived from methane from sewage water. This is in addition to a 200 strong fleet of electric  taxis and autos. The shipping and inland waterways sectors too are gearing up for running ships and barges on methanol, said Gadkari.

Image: PIB