Cabinet hikes ethanol prices by over Rs 5/litre to Rs 52.43
New Delhi, Sep 12 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved a hike in the price for procurement of ethanol by oil marketing companies (OMCs) by over Rs 3 increasing the rate for the clean fuel derived out of 'B' heavy molasses from the current Rs 47.13 per litre to Rs 52.43.
Briefing reporters here following a cabinet meeting, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the CCEA had also decided to increase the ex-mill price of ethanol derived fully from sugarcane juice at Rs 59.13 per litre for those mills who will divert thier total sugarcane juice for ethanol production without producing any sugar.
A Petroleum Ministry release said the cabinet approved prices are valid for the sugarcane season from December 2018 to November 2019.
"The cabinet has given its approval to revise/fix the price of ethanol derived from B heavy molasses/partial sugarcane juice and fix a higher price for 100 per cent sugarcane juice based ethanol for the forthcoming sugar season 2018-19 during ethanol supply year from 1st December 2018 to 30th November 2019 to Rs 52.43 per litre (from prevailing price of Rs.47.13 per litre)," it said.
"The cabinet has also decided to fix the ex-mill price of ethanol derived from 100% sugarcane juice at Rs 59.13 per litre, from prevailing price of Rs 47.13, for those mills which will divert 100 per cent of sugarcane juice for production of ethanol, thereby not producing any sugar," Pradhan said.
The government said the GST and transportation charges will also be payable, while OMCs have been advised to fix realistic transportation charges so that long distance transportation of ethanol is not disincentivised.
"The decision will serve multiple purposes of reducing excess sugar in the country, increasing liquidity with the sugar mills for settling cane farmers' dues and making higher ethanol available for the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme," he said.
All distilleries will be able to take benefit of the scheme and a large number of them are expected to supply ethanol for the EBP programme, he added.
The EBP programme, started in 2003, aims to bring down India's imports of petroleum products, for the country that imports over 80 per cent of its oil requirements.
The statement noted that as compared to ethanol derived from C heavy molasses, diversion of B heavy molasses reduces the sugar content by about 20 per cent and increases ethanol availability by about 100 per cent.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
