Encouraging ethanol and bio-fuel use will boost Indian economy as there is rice surplus, corn surplus, sugar surplus, wheat surplus in the country, said the Minister

Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nitin Gadkari has advocated the use of ethanol and bio-fuel as the cheaper and better option of petrol and diesel.

Addressing Rotary District Conference on Sunday, the Minister said within 8 to 10 days, it will be made mandatory for the automobile industry to make flex engines.

There will be choice with the consumer whether he wants 100% petrol or 100% ethanol / bio-fuel. He said that ethanol is a better fuel than petrol as it is import substitute, cost effective, pollution-free and indigenous.

He said encouraging ethanol and bio-fuel will, in turn, boost the Indian economy as there is rice surplus, corn surplus, sugar surplus and wheat surplus in the country.

The Minister pointed out that the government is working towards doubling the farmers’ income, boosting Make in India, upgrading science and technology and innovation and facilitating ease of doing business.

The Union Minister said diversification of agriculture towards energy and power is very important as it will result in reduction in pollution and yield good prices to the farmers and create an agro-based industry all over the country.

Gadkari also advocated organic farming, saying India should export its farm products across the world.

As regarding ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ he said the sentiment behind such initiative is to increase our exports and to find out Indian option for “whatever we are importing.”

The Minister said that with the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and proactive initiatives, the Government is aiming to boost investment, economic growth and generate more employment.

Gadkari said that with flexible and all-inclusive time bound decision-making process, transparent and development-led ecosystem would contribute towards happy, prosperous, strong and an

The Minister said that MSME sector has set a target to create five crore more jobs in next five years.