GUWAHATI:
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli, on January 20, said that years of research has gone into the technology of blending ethanol with petrol, and it is a proven technology.
“Studies have been carried out to prove the efficacy of ethanol-blended petrol jointly with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of vehicles, not just in India, but across the world,” he said, during his visit to Guwahati Terminal of Indian Oil (GTIO), Betkuchi.
Teli’s comments came on the heels of the recent controversy after several petrol pumps in Assam expressed apprehension on the blending. Stating that this is the mandate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he further added that 2.5 per cent blending in the region is low, compared to countries like Brazil, and Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Teli said, “It needs to be increased initially by 10 per cent and 20 per cent in the days to come. This will cause huge savings for the exchequer, which will bolster the Indian economy and generate employment because of reduced crude oil imports.”
Regarding the apprehensions of the channel partners of the oil industry, Teli advised the representatives of the oil marketing companies to ensure that underground tanks of petrol pumps are thoroughly cleaned before ethanol-blended petrol is decanted into the tanks.
To boost the production of ethanol for blending in the region, the Assam Bio-Refinery Pvt Ltd has been set up in Numaligarh with technical assistance from Finland to use Assam bamboo, sourced from rural areas in the region, to produce ethanol.
Telli said that he is hopeful that the setting of the refinery will transform the rural landscape of Assam and make the region prosperous.
Teli also said that this endeavour will generate huge employment opportunities and will be immensely beneficial for the labours as the oil companies will ensure that they have their mandatory e-shram cards, Provident Fund (PF) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), thus, looking into the social security for the contract labourers, tanker drivers, helpers, among others.