Ethanol production in the country has increased from 38 crore litres in 2013-14 to 302 crore litres in 2020-21. This information was revealed by was Subodh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary (Sugar) in the Department of Food & Pubic Distribution (DFPD).
Singh was chairing a review meeting to facilitate ethanol projects in Madhya Pradesh. Development in 16 projects with a production capacity of about 62.54 cr litres per annum was observed.
In-principle approval of DFPD is not mandatory for new distilleries for ethanol production, the Joint Secretary said adding that the approval is only related to the interest subvention scheme of the department.
He said that the government was ensuring that all facilities are provided to meet the ethanol production target and this was part of the Ease of Doing Business.
A review meeting regarding ethanol projects in Uttar Pradesh was conducted on Friday in which the status of upcoming projects in the state was taken. Many new distilleries are about to start production in next one year.
During Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2020-21, Uttar Pradesh supplied more than 106 crore litres of ethanol which is more than 35 per cent of the total ethanol produced in the country.
Upcoming ethanol projects in Uttarakhand were also reviewed by Singh during the review meeting. Banks were requested to expedite the sanction of loans to project proponents, it was also said during the meeting.
All project proponents of Ethanol are requested to register themselves on www.sugarethanol.nic.in and UPDATE their project status.