The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has issued a directive to all Excise Commissioners across states/Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the stringent implementation of the order dated December 15, 2023.
In a letter addressed to the Excise Commissioners, Sunil Kumar Swarnkar, Under Secretary, DSVO, emphasized, “I am directed to refer to letter No.3(2)/2023-SP dated 15.12.2023 addressed to CEOs/MDS of all Sugar Mills/ Distilleries wherein they were instructed that ‘No diversion of sugarcane juice and B Heavy molasses is allowed for production of Rectified Spirit (RS) /Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA)’. It is requested that Excise Commissioners may kindly ensure strict compliance with these orders and promptly report any violations to this office. Suitable action may also be taken as per the existing provisions of the State Excise Act/Rules against the violating organizations.”
The order issued by the DFPD to sugar mills/distilleries on December 15 explicitly prohibits the diversion of sugarcane juice and B Heavy molasses for the production of Rectified Spirit (RS)/Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA).
As per the DFPD order dated December 15, 2023, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were also instructed to make revised allocations and placement of revised contracts for each distillery, ensuring the supply of sugarcane juice and B heavy molasses-based ethanol within a total diversion limit of 17 lakh tonnes (LMT) sugar. Recently, OMCs issued indicative revised allocations for sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses-based ethanol in accordance with the directive.
