CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Rajasthan has become the first state to implement the National Policy on Biofuels unveiled by the centre in May 2018.

Detailed explanation-2: -Rajasthan becomes first state in India to implement National Policy on Biofuels.

Detailed explanation-3: -The policy’s objective is to support reducing the import of petroleum products by fostering domestic biofuel production. The amendment changed the following, selected elements of the National Policy on Biofuels (2018): - Advanced the blending target of 20% bioethanol in petrol to 2025-26 from 2030.

Detailed explanation-4: -Biofuels program in India has been largely impacted due to the sustained and quantum non-availability of domestic feedstock for biofuel production which needs to be addressed. The National Biofuels Draft Policy came to light in 2007 and was launched by 2009.

Detailed explanation-5: -Instead of 2030, the Centre plans to move ahead with its ethanol blending target of 20% of petrol containing ethanol by 2025-26. It will promote the production of biofuels in the country, under the Make in India program, by units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZ)/ Export Oriented Units (EoUs).