Priyank Kharge Questions Centre’s Subsidised Rice Ethanol Policy

Priyank Kharge is questioning how the government uses some of its rice for making ethanol.

The government buys rice from farmers using taxpayers’ money.

It also pays to store and transport that rice.

Kharge says the rice is then sold to ethanol makers at a price lower than what it cost to acquire.

He wants to know who benefits from this arrangement.

He also questions why the government buys ethanol from producers at higher prices.

Ethanol is blended with petrol, but Kharge asks whether this has made petrol cheaper for people.

He says the government should clearly explain the economic and public-interest effects of the policy.