Why delay in nod to retail biodiesel sales, SC asks govt, oil firms

NEW DELHI: At a time when some car owners are complaining about ethanol-blended petrol 's adverse impact on vehicles, the Supreme Court Tuesday sought responses from Union govt and state-owned oil companies on a petition by Mumbai-based Biodiesel Association of India challenging the decision to defer retailing of biodiesel till March 31, 2026.

Petitioner's counsel said deadline for implementation of biodiesel policy was arbitrarily extended. Govt had notified implementation of biodiesel policy in Sep 2022 for enforcement of mandatory blending of biodiesel with high-speed diesel (HSD).

CJI Gavai said, "Many car-owners are complaining about the ill-effects of ethanol-blended petrol on their vehicles." However, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati told the bench that govt had a reason for deferment of deadline and it would file an affidavit explaining the same. Apex court gave govt four weeks to file its response.

Biodiesel Association in its petition highlighted commercial interest of its members saying the deferment put paid to production and supply of biodiesel. " Biofuel policy in India is of strategic importance, as it augurs well with ongoing initiatives of the govt such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Make in India," it said.