CM Baghel seeks Centre's nod for production of bio-ethanol from surplus paddy

Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel met Union Petroleum, Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday. He has requested permission for the production of bio-ethanol from surplus paddy besides an increase in Kerosene quota for forest dwellers.

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, on Tuesday, met Union Petroleum, Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, here in Delhi, to seek permission for the production of bio-ethanol from surplus paddy purchased from the farmers of the state in addition to Food Corporation of India (FCI). Along with this, he also demanded an increase in the quota of Kerosene in forest areas.

During the meeting with Union Petroleum Minister, Baghel mentioned that 80.38 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased in the year 2018-19 and 83.94 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the year 2019-20, resulting in surplus production of rice which exceeded the required quantity of Central pool of rice and the state pool under the public distribution system. Hence, the state was forced to take an additional quantity of rice by milling surplus paddy.

Chhattisgarh has requested for permission to produce ethanol from about 6,00,000 metric tonnes of paddy.

Baghel also stated that there is more requirement of Kerosene by forest dwellers in forest areas and requested Pradhan to increase the quota of Kerosene. Dharmendra Pradhan gave assurances and said he would try to fulfil the demands with due consideration.