Govt-run suppliers allowed to sell bio-diesel to consumers

Government has decided to allow sale of bio-diesel by its manufacturers, suppliers or authorised dealers to all consumers, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

The initiative is aimed at increasing the production and usage of bio-diesel in the country.

Besides, the government continues to support intensive research and development on improved varieties of non-edible oilseeds including Jatropha and Pongamia for production of bio-diesel.

"No bio-diesel has been offered by the bio-diesel manufacturers till date at the price announced by the oil marketing companies (OMCs).

"The initiatives for increasing production and usage of bio-diesel in the country include -- the government has decided on January 16 (2015) to allow sale of bio-diesel by its manufacturers/suppliers or their authorised dealers and joint ventures of OMCS authorised by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to all consumers," Minister for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal said in a written statement in Lok Sabha.

The price announced for procurement of bio-diesel by the OMCs with effect from November 7, 2014 is Rs 41 per litre.

In 2006, the government had rolled out the bio-diesel purchase policy. As per this policy, OMCs would purchase bio-diesel, meeting the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, at a uniform price, as may be decoded by the OMCs from time to time.