–AIMS TO PROMOTE BIO-FUELS IN ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION SECTOR
CHANDIGARH: To curb the menace of crop residue burning and create a positive atmosphere for industrialization, Punjab Government has taken a decision to set up a Bio-ethanol project. In this regard, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed today between Government of Punjab and M/s SAB Industries Ltd. with proposed investment of Rs.719 crore. 
Divulging the details about this Project, Industry and Commerce Minister of Punjab, Mr. Sundar Shyam Arora said that this project will produce 25000 TPA 2G Bio-ethanol from paddy straw in Punjab which will not only generate investment and employment but will also help in reducing crop residue burning.
Cabinet Minister said that few studies undertaken in India have indicated surplus biomass availability to the tune of 120-160 MMT annually which, if converted, has the potential to yield 3000 crore liters of ethanol annually. Surplus biomass/agricultural waste can be converted to ethanol using second generation (2G) technologies which have cellulosic and lignocellulosic content.
Mr. Arora said that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India notified National Policy on Biofuels-2018 to promote biofuels in the country. This policy aims to increase usage of biofuels in the energy and transportation sectors of the country during the coming decade. Bio-fuels in India are of strategic importance as it augers well with the ongoing initiatives of the Government such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill Development and offers great opportunity to integrate with the ambitious targets of doubling of farmers Income, Import Reduction, Employment Generation, Waste to Wealth Creation.
Every harvesting season biomass is presently being exhumed by farmers in their fields causing huge pollution issue and is resulting into serious health hazards. Scientific disposal of biomass is must to take care of this menace. The government of Punjab is keen to encourage industrial projects for large-scale utilization of paddy straw for producing bio-ethanol and biogas in line with the policy of bio-fuels approved by the Government of India.
Mr. Kuljit Singh Nagra, MLA, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Mr. Gurpreet Singh, MLA, Bassi Pathanan, Mr. R.K. Verma, Principal Secretary, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Rajat Agarwal, CEO, Punjab Bureau of investment, Mr. DPS Kharbanda, Director, Industry and Commerce, Mr. R.K. Garg, CMD, SAB Industries Ltd. and Mr. Sandeep Sharma, Senior Executive Director, SAB Industries Ltd. were also present on this occasion.
