National Policy on Bio-fuel soon to accelerate growth

New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) The Government is in the process of preparing a National Policy on Bio-fuels which expected to lay the foundation for the accelerated development of the sector and recommend fixation of minimum support price for Jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds.

The Bio-fuel programme in India is to be developed on Public-Private Partnerships, which would promote bio-fuel plantations on government, community and private lands, said Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemvar addressing the 'International Bio-fuels Conference' at Brussels today.

Simultaneously, the industrial sector is also being encouraged to increase ethanol production from non-food feedstocks with several Indian corporates and business houses in collaboration with the Government establishing Jatropha plantations on waste lands, he added.

Mr Muttemvar said several state governments have announced policies to encourage Jatropha cultivation, setting up bio-diesel plants and supply chains up in many states. under the automatic route in the country, 100 per cent foreign direct investment in new and renewable energy is allowed.

The Minister said the areas likely to be covered the new policy are - Research and Development, capacity building, purchase policy and registration for enabling bio-fuel use. The policy will aim at a short-term blending proportion of five per cent by 2012, medium term of 10 per cent by 2017 and a long-term of above beyond 2017.

The Minister said the focus of the programme is on indigenous development to the extent possible by using science and technology and industrial capabilities.

We look forward to working with the European Union and all participating countries for achieving our bio-fuel aims and targets, he added.

The priorities for cooperation include programmes for increasing crop yields, oil content of oilseeds, and reducing the environmental impact of bio-fuel usage. The Government is also looking at cooperation in fuel conversion technologies from waste cellulosic materials and dedicated cellulosic crops, he said.

UNI