New Delhi: The Central authorities on Thursday issued a directive instructing sugar mills and distilleries to chorus from using sugarcane juice for ethanol production so as to guarantee a ample provide of sweetener for home use and preserve costs beneath examine.
However, the meals ministry, by means of a letter addressed to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all sugar mills and distilleries, affirmed that the availability of ethanol to oil advertising and marketing firms from B-heavy molasses will proceed.
Food Ministry letter to sugar mills
“In train of powers conferred beneath clause 4 & 5 of the Sugar (Control) Order 1966, it’s directed to all sugar mills and distilleries not to use sugarcane juice /sugar syrup for ethanol in ESY (ethanol provide yr) 2023-24 with rapid impact.
“Supply of ethanol from existing offers received by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) from B-Heavy molasses will continue,” Food ministry mentioned within the letter.
Sugar output might stay subdued this yr
Due to below-average rainfall within the sugarcane-growing areas this yr, the sugar output is probably going to stay subdued. The sugar commissionerate had earlier predicted that within the 2023-24 sugar manufacturing season, 1,022 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane will likely be obtainable for crushing and 103.58 lakh metric tonnes of sugar will likely be produced.
Fifteen lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane might be diverted for ethanol production, it mentioned. The variety of days of the sugar production season can also come down this yr amid lesser sugarcane production, the workplace predicted by means of a report.
(With PTI inputs)
