No intention to increase ethanol blending beyond 20%: Puri
Alleges misinformation and calls criticism of E20 a ‘contrived narrative’
PTI
Panaji, 27 Oct
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday that the Centre has no immediate plan to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 29th Energy Technology and Innovation Meet in South Goa, Puri said 20 per cent was the target, and there is ‘no desire’ to go higher.
He also alleged that misinformation was being spread about biofuels, calling the criticism of E20 a “contrived narrative.”
Puri said compliant vehicles are designed for E20 fuel, though older vehicles made before 2003 faced some problems. He credited E20 with saving the government Rs 1,60,000 crore, of which Rs 1,40,000 crore went back to farmers.
Addressing engine damage claims, he said an automobile manufacturer has filed a case against the person who made the allegation.
He argued that with six crore vehicles visiting dispensing stations daily, widespread engine damage would be obvious.
Separately, the Road Transport Ministry on Monday notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, allowing flex-fuel vehicles that can run on up to E100, or nearly pure ethanol.
Toyota, Tata Motors and Hyundai are developing flex-fuel vehicles for India as policymakers seek to cut the fossil fuel import bill.
INDIA POISED TO REFINE AS GLOBAL CAPACITY DECLINES
Meanwhile, Puri said on Tuesday that India is set to strengthen its position as a global refining hub, with oil processing capacity rising from about 290 million tonnes per annum to 300 million tonnes by 2030.
Existing refineries are scaling up, with three-million-tonne units expanding to six million and six-million-tonne units to nine million.
Puri said this would let India meet domestic demand while supplying more products abroad, and that exports would not need restricting.
Contrasting India with Europe, where at least 2,50,000 barrels per day of capacity is lost annually, he said, “Others are going down. Ours is going up.”
He added that Samudra Manthan and GOBARdhan initiatives would gain momentum.
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