The editorial “GoM Raj in ethanol” (November 11) argues for lifting the bar on sugar exports to improve the health of the sugar industry and also suggests the government buy sugar from the market to supply it to consumers through the public distribution system at subsidised rates. This would raise government’s subsidy bill and add to the already high fiscal deficit. The editorial highlights the need to strike a fine balance between the interests of the sugar industry, consumers of potable alcohol, chemical industries and oil marketing companies. The Directive Principles of State Policy mandate the state to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks that are injurious to health and, therefore, it is inconceivable to think of the “interests” of the consumers of potable alcohol. In the process of infusing economic rationale into ethanol pricing, the editorial has omitted the green rationale behind fossil fuel doping through biofuels to reduce our carbon footprint.
K D Singh, New Delhi
