(a) whether the national policy on bio-fuels envisages promotion and development of bio-fuels;
(b) if so, the salient features of the said policy;
(c) whether any steps have been taken to promote bio-fuels;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether any high level national bio-fuel coordination committee has been
constituted to coordinate, implement and monitor bio-fuel programmes; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a)&(b): Yes, Madam. The salient features of the National Policy on Biofuels are given below:
# Bio-diesel production from non-edible oil seeds grown on waste and degraded forest and non-forest lands.
# An indicative target of 20% blending of bio-ethanol and bio-diesel with petrol and diesel, respectively, by 2017.
# Minimum Support Price for non-edible oil seeds with provision for periodic revision to be announced.
# Determination of Minimum Purchase Price for purchase of bio-ethanol and bio-diesel.
# Major thrust on research, development and demonstration of bio-fuels, including Second Generation Bio-fuels.
(c)&(d): The Government is implementing a scheme of 5% blending of bio-ethanol with petrol. In addition, an ad-hoc
ex-factory price of Rs.27/- per litre for procurement of ethanol by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC)was approved
in August 2010. The procurement of ethanol and supply of Ethanol Blended Petrol by OMCs in progress since 01.09.2010.
The bio-diesel industry is still at a nascent stage of development and its blending with High Speed Diesel has not been started so far.
(e)&(f): A high Level National Biofuel Coordination Committee, headed by the Prime Minister, has been constituted
for coordination and policy guidance/review on different aspects of biofuels development, promotion and utilization.
Other members of the Committee are Ministers of Agriculture, New and Renewable Energy, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rural Development, Science & Technology and Environment & Forests besides Deputy Chairman Planning Commission. Secretary, in
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the Convener.