(a) whether the researchers at TERI in New Delhi have proven that they can grow Jatropha even in the arid Rajasthan soil;
(b) if so, whether technologies exist in India to produce ethanol from agricultural wastes like rice husk and sugarcane bagasse to drive cars;;
(c) whether the Government has a plan to set an ambitious target for obtaining minimum 50% of automobiles fuels from renewable bio-fuels by 2025; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)
(a): The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) have informed that they have taken up demonstration of Jatropha on 90 hectares of wasteland at Sardarsamand near Jodhpur (Rajasthan) since 2003-2004.
(b): Technoloiges for producing ethanol from agricultural wastes like rice husk and sugarcane bagasse are not available on commercial scale, in India.
(c) & (d): No Sir.