PATNA: The Centre is contemplating giving permission to Bihar to for production of ethanol in sugar factories even without producing sugar.
Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who was here to attend an NCP conference, dropped this hint when asked about Bihar government's demand to relax the ban ethanol production on the plea that several investors have expressed keenness to invest in ethanol production from the state.
He said he was not in favour of production of only ethanol. "Without producing sugar, ethanol production is not viable. We want the sugar factories to produce everything __ sugar, ethanol and power,'' he said during an informal talk with newsmen at a dinner on Friday night.
"But I have made a proposal to give permission for ethanol production,'' he added.
Asked about the wastage of foodgrains at a time when some states are facing a drought-like situation, Pawar attributed it to lack of warehouses and `mandis' in the country. "During the NDA regime, 7.5 lakh tonnes of foodgrains turned waste but during the UPA regime, only two lakh tonnes went waste,'' he said and added the country has a storage capacity of 450 lakh tonnes and "we are ready to hire warehouses to keep additional foodgrains''.
Pawar said he has urged Prime Minister to shed some departments from his ministry. But he rejected the criticism that he is giving more time to cricket.
On his plan to seek retirement from politics, Pawar smilingly said he would make a public announcement whenever he takes such a decision.
On Bihar government's memorandum seeking a drought package for the state, Pawar said seeking package has become a fashion these days. "I was also a chief minister (of Maharashtra) but I never sought a package,'' he said.
source: TOI
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