Shah credits PM’s ethanol policy for sugar mills’ transformation

AHILYANAGAR (MAHRASHTRA): Ethanol blending has transformed the balance sheets of sugar mills and India’s sugar cooperatives sector has benefitted immensely after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, Union minister Amit Shah said on Sunday. He also said that the Centre, under PM Modi's leadership, will extend all possible assistance to farmers in Maharashtra who have suffered losses due to heavy rains in the state recently. The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation was addressing a farmers’ rally after inaugurating the expanded capacity of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district, which has increased its crushing capacity to 10,000 tonnes of sugarcane per day.

He also unveiled statues of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, a notable figure in the cooperative movement, and his son and former Union minister Dr Balasaheb Vikhe Patil. “The sugar cooperative sector has benefitted immensely after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister,” he said, adding that sugar cooperatives should modernise to ensure long-term sustainability.

The government has allocated Rs10,000 crore to promote ethanol production, Shah said. “Ethanol blending has transformed the balance sheets of sugar mills. If 20 per cent of the earnings are reinvested in expansion, the coming generations will benefit,” he added.

Shah appealed to sugar cooperatives that they should produce multi-feed ethanol in the non-crushing season.

“During the non-crushing season, cooperative mills should establish multi-feed ethanol units to utilise wasted vegetables, maize and rice. The NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) will provide loans for such upgradation, and cooperative mills prioritising ethanol production will be given preference,” Shah said.

He also said that the Modi government will render all possible assistance to farmers in Maharashtra, affected by heavy rains recently.