10 ethanol manufacturing units to come up in West Bengal

Kolkata, Mar 17 (KNN) The West Bengal government to invest Rs 1,860 crore to set up 10 ethanol manufacturing units in the state.

As per reports, one units have already started production and the remaining nine units are in the processing stage and production is expected to start soon.

The unit that has become operational is located at Malda while two are in East Burdwan, three in West Burdwan, 1 each in South 24-Parganas and Alipurduar and two others are in the processing stage, reported MillenniumPost citing a source in the Industry and Commerce department.

With the aim to promote ethanol production units in Bengal, the state government in 2021 had launched the Ethanol Production Promotion Policy 2021.The policy aims at making the state self-sufficient in rice bran-based ethanol production that has to be blended with petrol and diesel to lower pollutants from fossil fuels.

“We provide a set of financial incentives, including waiver on electricity duty for five years to prospective investors, exemption of stamp duty, registration fees, waiver of fees for land records mutation and its conversion. The non-financial incentive includes round the clock water supply which is very essential for ethanol production,” a senior official of the state Industry and Commerce department said.

West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) is the nodal agency for creating awareness of the ethanol industry and the implementation of the set policy, besides ensuring handholding support to the investors.  (KNN Bureau)