Centre’s ban on ethanol fromsugarcane juice sudden

Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday said Union Cooperation Minster Amit Shah has assured to find a way out in the next two days to the issue arising out of the Centre’s decision to ban the use of ‘sugarcane juice and sugar syrup’ for ethanol production.

Pawar, who is also the finance minister, said in the assembly the Centre’s decision was “sudden” and pointed out that many sugar mills in Maharashtra, one of the top producers of the sweetener in the country, have invested heavily in setting up ethanol plants.

The Centre on Thursday banned the use of ‘sugarcane juice and sugar syrup’ for ethanol production in the 2023-24 supply year, which started this month, to maintain adequate sugar availability for domestic consumption and to keep prices under check.

However, the government has allowed use of ‘B-molasses’, a cane by-product, for ethanol production in 2023-24. Ethanol, a colourless liquid, is blended with fuel as part of the government’s initiative to reduce reliance on crude oil imports.