Bio-diesel can be bought directly from producer

The government on Friday allowed private manufacturers of bio-diesel to sell it directly to consumers.

Initially, the sale will be limited to PSU firms such as Railways. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also decided to amend the national policy on bio-fuels for facilitating the decision. “This decision will encourage the production and use of bio-diesel in the country,” the government said in a statement.

“The amendment will allow private bio-diesel manufacturers, their authorised dealers and joint ventures of oil marketing companies (OMCs) authorised by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as dealers and give marketing/distribution functions to them for the limited purpose of supply of bio-diesel to consumers,” it said.

Other decisions
The Cabinet also approved a proposal for auctioning of FM channels. “The auction process will add an estimated revenue of over Rs 550 crore to the national exchequer on successful auctions of all proposed channels,” the statement said.

The roll-out of the first batch of FM Radio Phase III auction will provide more channels to listeners with richer content in 69 existing cities, it said.

In another decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved buffer stock limit of Food Corporation of India for wheat and rice.

The step is expected to help the government bridge shortage of foodgrain once the food security act is implemented across the country.

As per the revised norms, the FCI has to maintain higher buffer stock and strategic reserves during the second and third quarter of the calendar year, while lower stocks in the first and last quarter of the year.

Higher stock of 41.12 million tonnes should be maintained in the second quarter as on July 1 instead of earlier limit of 31.9 million tonnes, while 30.77 million tonnes should be kept in the third quarter as on October 1 as against previous norm of 21.2 million tonnes, the statement said.
DH News Service