Sugar associations demand review of plan for ethanol from sugarcane juice

A day after the Centre stopped the production of ethanol from sugarcane juice, the sugar industry came out in the open against the move, even as the government assured that the decision would be reviewed periodically.

The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited President Jaiprakash Dandegaonkar urged the Centre to reconsider its decision to stop the use of sugarcane juice and sugar syrup for ethanol production. Meanwhile, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) stated in a statement that because of this pause, the crushing capacity of sugar mills will come down drastically, leading to a delay in the crushing season resulting in loss, not only to the mills but more importantly to the farmers.