Patna, (Bihar Times): In spite of Centre’s ban on producing ethanol from sugarcane, Reliance Industries Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd have renewed their interest in taking over three State-controlled sick sugar mills in Bihar. The Centre’s prohibition came last December.
Reports say that both RIL and HPCL deposited 10 per cent of the bid amount for the three sick sugar mills. Reliance deposited Rs 5.70 crore with the State Government for the take-over of the Motipur unit in Muzaffarpur district, HPCL paid Rs 4.5 crore and Rs 5 crore for Lauriya and Sugauli sugar mills respectively in East Champaran district.
RIL has emerged as the highest bidder at Rs 57 crore for the take-over of the Motipur unit. Similarly, HPCL emerged the highest bidder at Rs 45 crore for Lauriya unit and Rs 50 crore for Sugauli sugar mills.
The Centre succumbed to the group of environmentalist and foodgrain activists and prohibited the state from producing ethanol directly from sugarcane juice. This came as a blow to the state government’s plan to convert Bihar into ethanol hub.
