Install ethanol plant in sugar mill distillery, says chief secretary

LUCKNOW: While ethanol plants in five out of six distilleries being run in cooperative sugar mills in the state had been already established, chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar on Friday ordered completion of the same in remaining one distillery in next three months.

He said that use of ethanol for petrol-mixing by oil companies had helped in strengthening the financial condition of sugar mills, thereby benefiting sugarcane farmers and local people.

The chief secretary was presiding over a meeting on the cess fund of cooperative sugar mills here on Friday.

In view of the legal requirement to ensure smooth running of ethanol plants in cooperative sector in the state, Bhatnagar asked officials to immediately begin the bidding process for installing zero liquid discharge equipment in distilleries.

Giving his approval for utilisation of cess fund in installation of zero liquid discharge equipment, he directed for necessary action to be taken as soon as possible.

He said that there should not be any hindrance in ethanol production.

Dr V K Yadav, managing director of the UP Co-operative Sugar Factories Federation , said that according to specifications of the Central Pollution Control Board, installation of zero liquid discharge equipment in distilleries was legally required.

Hence, not installing the system would hinder ethanol production, he explained.