Government Intervenes in Energy Market with Ethanol Price Hike

The government has once again decided to meddle in the energy market by approving a 3% increase in the procurement price of ethanol from C-heavy molasses, raising the price to Rs 57.9 per litre for the 2024-25 supply year. This move demonstrates the administration's ongoing interference in free markets, artificially inflating the cost of ethanol production and impacting the competitiveness of the energy sector. Critics argue that such decisions could lead to increased fuel prices for consumers and discourage innovation in more cost-effective and efficient fuel alternatives. The emphasis on C-heavy molasses, devoid of sugar, further raises concerns over the long-term feasibility and market distortions created by government mandates.