Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has made a request for public Feedback/Views/Comments on the National Biofuels Policy and the Motor spirit and High Speed Diesel Control in respect of the changed overall outlook of the biofuel programme which seeks to allow the producers to directly sell fuel to consumers especially bulk customers like railways in a free market economy. The feedback could be sent by September 20 at biofuels.mnre@ gov.in.
The National Biofuel Policy states that the responsibility of storage, distribution and marketing of biofuels will rest with oil marketing companies. Besides, the policy states that the exports of biofuels will be permitted only when domestic requirements are met. Further, The Motor spirit and High Speed Diesel Control Order also stipulates that no other person should get engaged in the business of selling these products apart from the dealer or the oil company.
Last year, while considering the proposal to facilitate manufacturers of biodiesel to directly sell the fuel to bulk consumers, Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush said no biodiesel has been procured by oil marketing companies in the last three years while around 92,000 tonnes biodiesel were exported during the same period. Meanwhile an indicative target of 20% blending for bio-diesel and bio-ethanol, by 2017 has been proposed.
The Policy aims to bring about accelerated development and promotion of the cultivation, production and use of biofuels to increasingly substitute petrol and diesel for transport and used in stationary and other applications, while contributing to energy security, climate change mitigation, apart from creating new employment opportunities and leading to environmentally sustainable development.