From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday held a meeting with the promoters of seven ethanol manufacturing entities who came forward under Assam Ethanol Production Promotion Policy, 2021 to set up their plants in the state. During the meet held at the conference room of Chief Minister’s office in Janata Bhawan this evening, the promoters apprised their latest developments and different issues they are facing.
Sarma said that Govt. of Assam will provide all necessary support to them to resolve all their outstanding issues to facilitate expeditious implementation of the projects under the policy. During the meeting it has been informed that all the seven entities are presently ready to commence construction and commercial production of bio-fuel by the middle of 2023. It may be noted that since the declaration of the State Ethanol Policy in August, 2021, Assam has attracted 16 ethanol projects worth Rs 3290 crore as a fallout of consortium of OMCs floated bids for long term ethanol procurement. To facilitate Ethanol production, Industry Department established a 24×7 support centre for the entities to obtain various approvals and clearance required to setup their plants.
Six out of seven entities have been provided with land in Industrial Development Corporation Industrial Parks across various parts of the State including two units in IGC Matia, one unit each at Industrial Landbank in Sipajhar, ID Dhing, IGC Balipara and near Assam Plastic Park, Tinsukia. The proposed annual capacity of these seven units will be 970 KLD with planned investment of Rs. 1154 crore which will generate direct employment avenues for 1000 people and indirect employment for nearly 4000. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli and Industry and Commerce Minister Chandramohan Patowary were also present during the discussion.
