By IANS
New Delhi : India's bio-fuel programme is to be developed on public-private partnership (PPP) to promote bio-fuel plantations on government, community and private lands, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar said Friday.
Addressing an international bio-fuel conference in Brussels, he said the industrial sector is also being encouraged to increase ethanol production from non-food feedstock.
He said several Indian corporate houses have in collaboration with the government have begun plantation of Jatropha seeds on wastelands or started contract farming on private holdings.
The minister said several state governments have announced policies to encourage Jatropha cultivation by setting up bio-diesel plants and supply chains.
He said 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in new and renewable energy is allowed under the automatic route in India.
The central government is in the process of preparing a national policy on bio-fuels that is expected to lay the foundation for the accelerated development of the sector, Muttemwar said.
It would recommend fixation of minimum support price for Jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds.
The minister said the focus of India's bio-fuel programme is on indigenous development by using science and technology and industrial capabilities.
He emphasised that bio-fuels are an integral component of the country's energy policy.
"We look forward to working with the European Union and all participating countries for achieving our bio-fuel aims and targets. Our priorities for cooperation include programmes for increasing crop yields, oil content of oilseeds, and reducing the environmental impact of bio-fuel usage," Muttemwar said.
The government is also looking at cooperation in fuel conversion technologies from waste cellulosic materials and dedicated cellulosic crops, he said.
The effective implementation of the bio-fuel programme would go a long way in reducing India's dependence on oil besides helping address concerns related to climate change, he said.