New Delhi, July 15 -- The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) wrote a letter to Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, voicing concerns regarding the potential removal of restrictions on ethanol imports for fuel blending, amidst ongoing trade discussions with the United States.

In the letter, ISMA emphasised the critical role of the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) in promoting clean energy and uplifting Indian farmers.

ISMA highlighted that the government's clear policy direction, anchored in the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) and supported by the DGFT notification of August 21, 2018, which categorised ethanol imports for fuel as 'restricted,' has been instrumental in building a self-reliant domesti...