CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -On the occasion of World Biofuel Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the 2nd generation (2G) Ethanol Plant in Panipat, Haryana to the nation today via video conferencing.

Detailed explanation-2: -Subsequent to opening up of alternate route i.e. Second Generation (2G) route for ethanol production, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are in the process of setting up 12, 2G bio-refineries with an investment of Rs. 14,000 crore.

Detailed explanation-3: -2G Ethanol technology developed by the DBT-ICT Centre, which produces ethanol from agricultural residue feedstock, has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from the transportation and agricultural sectors in India.

Detailed explanation-4: -With an objective to augment ethanol supplies, the Government allowed procurement of ethanol produced from other non-food feedstock besides molasses, like cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials including petrochemical route.