Question : PRODUCTION OF BIO DIESEL

(a) the production of bio-diesel in the country, during the last three years;

(b) whether bio-diesel is cheap and non polluting;

(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the production of Bio-diesel;

(d) whether some people have protested against the production of Bio-diesel;

(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the nature of protest thereon;

(f) whether the Government has received proposals from the State Governments for setting up Bio-diesel Plants in the States; and

(g) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)

(a): Bio-diesel is not being produced on commercial scale in India.

(b) & (c) : Bio-diesel is an environment friendly fuel. Studies conducted with bio-diesel on engines have shown reduction in particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions. A National Mission on Bio-diesel has been taken up by the Ministry of Rural Development with focus on large scale plantation of Jatropha curcas (Ratanjot) on 4 lakh hectare of forest and non-forest waste lands. The Deptt. of Bio-Technology have initiated a micro-mission programme on production and demonstration of superior quality planting material of Jatropha. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas had announced a Bio-diesel Purchase Policy in October, 2005, which has come into effect from 1st January, 2006. As per this Policy, Oil Marketing Companies shall purchase bio-diesel at Rs.25 per liter from the bio-diesel suppliers.

(d) & (e): No protest against the production of bio-diesel has been received by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

(f) & (g): The Ministry for Rural Development have received proposals from State Governments under the demonstration project of the National Mission on Bio-diesel. Based on these proposals, the Ministry of Rural Development have released Rs.49 crore to nine States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Tamil Nadu & Rajasthan for raising Jatropha seedlings in the nurseries.