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Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Sugar industry seeks ethanol price revision as blending share drops to 28 pc
New Delhi, The sugar industry has demanded a revision of ethanol procurement prices and extension of blending targets beyond 20 per cent, as the sector's contribution to the national ethanol programme has declined sharply from 73 per cent to just 28 per cent. The industry has also demanded accelerated promotion and manufacturing of Flex-Fuel Vehicles to boost ethanol demand and ensure market preparedness for higher blending, National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories said in a statement. The demand was made by the industry delegation, led by Ravi Gupta, Chairman of IFGE's Sugar Bioenergy Group, and expert Member on the Board of NFCSF, in a meeting held at the PMO recently, it said. In 2022-23 season , NFCSF said the sugar industry reached a significant milestone by diverting 43 lakh tonnes of sugar towards ethanol production, enabling the supply of 369 crore litres of ethanol, which accounted for 73 per cent of total ethanol blended with fuel across the country. However, in 2023-24, ethanol supply from sugar-based feedstocks declined to 270 crore litres, contributing only 38 per cent to the national blending programme. "This is projected to fall further to 250 crore litres in 2024-25, making up just 28 per cent of the total blending target of 900 crore litres," it said in a statement. The main reason for this drop is that ethanol procurement prices have not been increased in line with the rise in the Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane, making ethanol production less profitable for sugar mills. Although there is potential to divert up to 40 lakh tonnes of sugar into ethanol this year, only 32 lakh tonnes are expected to be diverted. "This shortfall is due to the gap between ethanol prices and better returns from selling sugar directly in the domestic market," NFCSF said. As a result, India's ethanol production capacity of 952 crore litres per year including 130 crore litres from multi-feed distilleries is being under-utilised. The Ethanol Blending Programme has emerged as a vital solution to the longstanding issue of surplus sugar stocks under the National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, which set an ambitious target to divert 60 to 70 lakh tonnes of excess sugar annually towards ethanol production. Since the policy's inception, India's ethanol production capacity has expanded significantly from 518 crore litres in 2018 to 1,800 crore litres in 2025. Correspondingly, the ethanol blending rate with petrol has risen sharply from 4.22 per cent to 18.61 per cent as of April 30, 2025. Sugar production has reached 286.9 lakh tonnes as on April 30 of the ongoing 2024-25 season, out of which 30 lakh tonnes have been diverted for ethanol. The industry has additionally suggested evaluating the possibility of blending ethanol in diesel as a future strategy to expand ethanol use across fuel types. NFCSF noted that diverting sugar to ethanol does not reduce the actual production of sugar but helps to manage surplus sugar stocks, stabilise market prices, improve the financial health of sugar mills, and ensure timely payments to farmers. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sugar industry seeks ethanol price revision as blending share drops to 28% from 73%
The sugar industry has demanded a revision of ethanol procurement prices and extension of blending targets beyond 20%, as the sector's contribution to the national ethanol programme has declined sharply from 73% to just 28%. The industry has also demanded accelerated promotion and manufacturing of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) to boost ethanol demand and ensure market preparedness for higher blending, National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) said in a statement. The demand was made by the industry delegation, led by Ravi Gupta, Chairman of IFGE's Sugar Bioenergy Group, and expert Member on the Board of NFCSF, in a meeting held at the PMO (Prime Minister's Office) recently, it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sasha Meneghel já está irreconhecível após sua recente transformação. 33 Bridges Undo In 2022-23 season (October-September), NFCSF said the sugar industry reached a significant milestone by diverting 43 lakh tonnes of sugar towards ethanol production , enabling the supply of 369 crore litres of ethanol, which accounted for 73 per cent of total ethanol blended with fuel across the country. However, in 2023-24, ethanol supply from sugar-based feedstocks declined to 270 crore litres, contributing only 38 per cent to the national blending programme. Live Events "This is projected to fall further to 250 crore litres in 2024-25, making up just 28 per cent of the total blending target of 900 crore litres," it said in a statement. The main reason for this drop is that ethanol procurement prices have not been increased in line with the rise in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane , making ethanol production less profitable for sugar mills . Although there is potential to divert up to 40 lakh tonnes of sugar into ethanol this year, only 32 lakh tonnes are expected to be diverted. "This shortfall is due to the gap between ethanol prices and better returns from selling sugar directly in the domestic market," NFCSF said. As a result, India's ethanol production capacity of 952 crore litres per year -- including 130 crore litres from multi-feed distilleries -- is being under-utilised. The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) has emerged as a vital solution to the longstanding issue of surplus sugar stocks under the National Policy on Biofuels - 2018, which set an ambitious target to divert 60 to 70 lakh tonnes (LMT) of excess sugar annually towards ethanol production. Since the policy's inception, India's ethanol production capacity has expanded significantly from 518 crore litres in 2018 to 1,800 crore litres in 2025. Correspondingly, the ethanol blending rate with petrol has risen sharply from 4.22 per cent to 18.61 per cent as of April 30, 2025. Sugar production has reached 286.9 lakh tonnes as on April 30 of the ongoing 2024-25 season, out of which 30 lakh tonnes have been diverted for ethanol. The industry has additionally suggested evaluating the possibility of blending ethanol in diesel as a future strategy to expand ethanol use across fuel types. NFCSF noted that diverting sugar to ethanol does not reduce the actual production of sugar but helps to manage surplus sugar stocks, stabilise market prices, improve the financial health of sugar mills, and ensure timely payments to farmers.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana govt announces police service medals
Hyderabad: On the eve of Telangana's formation day, the state govt announced that 486 policemen and other uniformed service personnel would be awarded Police Seva Medals in recognition of their distinguished service. In an order, special chief secretary Ravi Gupta said that nine policemen from Greyhounds, an anti-Naxal commando force, had been awarded the Shourya Pathakamu. These officers are sub-inspectors Ch. Mahesh, G. Shobhan and A. Rakesh Kumar, and Junior Commanders G. Venkatesh, K. Ramesh, Papia Naik, Ravinder Sanjay, T. Venkatesh and Naresh. Similarly, the Mahonnatha Seva Pathakamu was awarded to 16 police officers. Uttamaseva Pathakamu was awarded to 461 personnel. Gupta said: "This is in recognition of the outstanding work done by police officers in their respective fields, including the police, fire services, vigilance and enforcement, and the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and special protection force (SPF), with payment of a monthly recurring grant and a non-recurring lump sum grant to the recipients of the pathakams. "


Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 24 May 2025
What: Tribute to Metallica ft Frantic Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 1 Atma Ram Mansion, Connaught Circus, CP When: May 24 Timing: 9pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Rajiv Chowk (Blue & Yellow Lines) What: 17th Habitat Film Festival | Phullwanti Where: The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road When: May 24 Timing: 9pm Entry: Free (Register here) Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line) What: Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya Where: LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House When: May 24 Timing: 7pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines) What: The House in the Hills Where: CD Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre, Lodhi Road When: May 24 Timing: 6.30pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) What: Kal Ki Chinta Nahi Karta ft Ravi Gupta Where: Studio XO Bar, Trillium Avenue, Sector 29, Gurugram When: May 24 Timing: 6pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Millennium City Centre Gurugram (Yellow Line)


The Hindu
09-05-2025
- The Hindu
Cherlapally prison hosts sports and cultural meet
After a four-year break triggered by the pandemic, the Telangana Prisons Department has restarted its Annual Prisoners' Sports and Cultural Meet at Central Prison, Cherlapally. The three-day event, aimed at inmate rehabilitation, kicked off on Friday, where over 220 prisoners from across the State took part. The meeting was inaugurated by Special Chief Secretary for Home Ravi Gupta, who praised the prison staff for running a tight ship and commended the inmates for their disciplined parade and energetic performances. He told participants that this meet was not about medals, but about regaining purpose and self-discipline — tools more valuable than any trophy. Inmates were grouped into four teams representing Cherlapally, Chanchalguda, Hyderabad Range and Warangal Range. All underwent two months of training in both sports and cultural activities, supported by protein-rich diets to keep them fighting fit. Outdoor competitions include cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, and sprints, while indoor contests feature chess, carrom, and badminton. Cultural events such as singing, dancing, skits, mimicry, and instrumental music are also on the agenda, giving inmates a chance to step outside their usual roles and reconnect with forgotten talents. Director General of Prisons Soumya Mishra said that structured activity was not just a distraction, but a tool for change. 'Reform isn't a slogan. It's a process. And this is part of it,' she said. Senior officers from across the prison system, including IGs and DIGs, backed the initiative as a practical approach to inmate reform.