(a) the steps taken by the Government for production of bio-diesel in the country;
(b) the target fixed by the Government for production of bio-diesel during the last three years along with the extent to which these targets have been achieved;
(c) whether shortfall in achieving the targets have been noticed during the said period;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor along with reaction of the Government thereto; and
(e) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL & NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): The recent steps taken by the Government for increase of production of environment friendly biodiesel are (i) announcement of the National Policy on Biofuels for promotion and utilisation of biodiesel; (ii) half yearly revision of procurement price of biodiesel; (iii) direct sale of biodiesel by manufacturers/suppliers other than Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs) in the country; (iv) continuous support for various Research and Development (R&D) activities for production of biodiesel from various non-food feed stocks and for improving the yields of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) for production of biodiesel; and (v) promotion of various tree borne oilseeds for oil extraction for edible, industrial and Energy uses.
(b)&(c): No target has been fixed by the Government for production of bio-diesel during the last three years in the country. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has stated that OMCs have just started procuring few crore litres of biodiesel for blending with diesel.
(d): The non-availability of TBOs is the main problem for production of biodiesel However, the intensive Research and Development on development and cultivation of improved varieties of Jatropha has been taken up by the concerned Ministries and Departments such as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Bio-technology, etc. in addition to creation of employment in rural areas and use of waste lands.
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(e): The following measures have been taken by the Government for promotion of biodiesel production in the country:-
¬i. Half yearly revision of procurement price of biodiesel;
ii. Direct sale of biodiesel by manufacturers/ suppliers other than OMC in the country;
iii. Continuous support for various R&D activities for production of biodiesel from various non-food feed stocks in the country;
iv. Promotion of various TBO for oil extraction;
v. A number of R&D projects have been initiated with focus on improvement of oil quality, yields, identifying important novel genes involved in oil biosynthetic pathway, identification of elite varieties using molecular markers etc. Studies on biotechnological interventions are also being supported through Algal Network Program for selection of promising strains for biomass production as alternative feedstock for biodiesel production ; and
vi. The Bureau of Indian Standards has published a standard i.e. IS 15607:2005 ‘Bio diesel (B 100) - Blend stock for diesel fuel – specification’ which stipulates the quality parameters of the biodiesel.