Chhattisgarh: Procure rice from State for central pool, CM Baghel urges Centre

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday met Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in the capital city and urged them to procure rice from Chhattisgarh for the central pool. CM Baghel further sough the Central Government's support in encouraging the sale of bioethanol in Chhattisgarh. CM Bagel further said that it is estimated that over 85 lakh metric tonne of rice will be procured this year.

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'A large quantity of inflow of paddy is expected' 

According to a government press release, "It is noteworthy that according to the decision taken by the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2014, rice will not be procured from State Governments that provide a bonus against paddy procurement at the support price. However, despite the decision, the provision was slackened for the last two years and rice was being procured from Chhattisgarh for the central pool." The press release further read, "Keeping this in view, Chhattisgarh Government has requested Prime Minister to slacken the provision for the year 2019-20 as well and procure 32 lakh metric tons of rice from Chhattisgarh, because a large quantity of inflow of paddy is expected this year." Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has also urged the Centre to provide approval for the production of bioethanol as an alternative use of acquired surplus paddy in the year 2019-20. He said this would encourage investment in the field of bio-fuel. 

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EBP programme launched in 2003

The Government of India decided to launch Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme in January 2003 for the supply of 5 per cent ethanol-blended petrol. Subsequent to this, Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme was launched in January 2003 in nine States i.e. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and four Union Territories. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) vide its notification dated September 20, 2006, directed the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to sell 5% EBP. At present, this programme has been extended to the whole of India except Union Territories of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands with effect from April 1, 2019, wherein OMCs sell petrol blended with ethanol up to 10 per cent.

'Price of sugarcane has been fixed at Rs. 59.48 per litre'

Ethanol blending in petrol increased from 38 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2013-14 to an estimated 141 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2017-18 and 200 crore litres in the following year. India spent $112 billion on import of 226 million tonnes of crude oil in 2018-19. Pradhan said the price of ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup route has been fixed at Rs. 59.48 per litre. "Additionally, GST and transportation charges will also be payable. OMCs have been advised to fix realistic transportation charges so that long-distance transportation of ethanol is not disincentivised," he said adding the use of alternative and environment-friendly fuels will reduce import dependence and give a boost to the agriculture sector. This comes at a time when a surplus of sugar production is depressing sugar price. Consequently, sugarcane farmer's dues have increased due to the lower capability of the sugar industry to pay the farmers. 

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(Inputs from ANI)