 "Weak response for ethanol tender")
Sugar mills have offered only half the quantity of ethanol asked by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) during the current crushing season 2014-15.
OMCs anchored by Bharat Petroleum Corporation wanted 92 crore litres of ethanol to blend with petrol in a bid to meet the govt's 5% mandatory ethanol blending programme.
However, sugar mills offered only 47 crore litres of ethanol supply in response to the tender that opened on Monday, said industry sources.
"The tender was opened mid season. Hence, sugar mills offered lower quantity. Alongwith 35 crore litres already finalised for supply this season, this is the highest quantity of offer in a single sugar year (October - September)," said a leading ethanol producer who participated in the bid actively.