ISMA leadership meets Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to seek support in addressing sugar industry challenges
The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) leaders, including President Prabhakar Rao Mandava, recently met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss industry challenges. Key issues addressed were fair pricing for E-100 ethanol, aligning GST on Flexible Fuel Vehicles with Electric Vehicles, and enhancing 20% ethanol blending. With 15.4% ethanol blending in May 2024, and 14,611 out of 81,698 PSU outlets dispensing E20, ISMA urged for continued support in promoting sustainable fuel options.
The leadership of Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), Prabhakar Rao Mandava, President, Gautam Goel, Vice President, and Deepak Ballani, Director General, recently held a meeting with Nitin Gadkari, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister. The purpose of the meeting was to seek support in addressing key challenges facing the sugar industry.
The discussion with minister covered several critical issues, including the need to address the differential pricing of E-100 ethanol fuel by implementing a fair pricing strategy. ISMA leadership also emphasized the importance of aligning GST on Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) with Electric Vehicles (EVs) to promote the adoption of sustainable fuel options and support the government’s green initiatives. Additionally, they discussed the need to enhance the dispensing of 20% blended ethanol.
According to the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) Monthly Ready Reckoner report, ethanol blending with Petrol was 15.4% during May 2024 and cumulative ethanol blending during November 2023- May 2024 was 12.6%. As on 01-06-2024, 14,611 PSU outlets out of 81,698 total PSU Retail Outlets are dispensing E20 Ethanol Blended MS.