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Journalism of Courage
The government has changed norms for the plan to run automobiles on ethanol-doped petrol due to poor ethanol supply. The new notification of the Petroleum Ministry does not make it mandatory for oil companies to blend ethanol in petrol. Ethanol should be procured only if it is economical.
Addressing the Consultative Committee of Parliament, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said, ‘‘During July 2004, the oil marketing companies reported short supply of ethanol in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Difficulties were also reported in finalising tender for future supply of ethanol in Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.’’
Hence, changes have been brought in on marketing of ethanol blended petrol.
The fresh notification makes ‘‘sale of ethanol-blended petrol mandatory only when the price of sourcing indigenous ethanol for supply of ethanol-blended petrol is comparable to the price of indigenous ethanol for alternative uses, the delivery price is comparable to the import parity price of petrol at that location and if the indigenous ethanol industry is able to maintain uninterrupted supply.’’
Aiyar also added that the government will offer 20 oil and gas exploration blocks in the fifth round of bidding under the new exploration licensing policy (NELP) in January 2005.
In the first four rounds of NELP bidding, the government has awarded 90 oil and gas blocks.
During last six months, Reliance Industries has made gas discoveries in two blocks — one off the Andhra coast and another off Orissa.
Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation has found oil in the state while Cairn Energy has made two oil discoveries in Rajasthan, the petroleum minister said.
Besides intensifying exploration within the country, India is also acquiring oil properties abroad to cut its dependence on imported crude oil, prices of which have spiralled during past few months.
‘‘In order to mobilise all our diplomatic experience and expertise to synchronise with our investments abroad, the government has formed an 11-member standing advisory committee on diplomacy and energy security headed by economist Arjun Sengupta,’’ Aiyar said. The committee comprises former diplomats.
It has been entrusted with the task of facilitating security of oil and gas properties in oil-rich countries, particularly in West Asia.
