JUDGMENT

SANJEEV NARULA, J. (Oral):

1. The Petitioner, Mr. Neeraj Kumar Dubey, through this Public Interest Litigation, raises his concerns regarding the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 [“NBP 2018”], promulgated by Respondent No. 2 – Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India on 04th June, 2018, and subsequently amended on 15th June, 2022. This policy permits use of food grains – including damaged grains like wheat and broken rice – as feedstock for ethanol production. While the NBP 2018 aims to meet burgeoning energy needs and targets a 20% ethanol blend with petrol by the year 2025- 26, the Petitioner argues that such a shift might precipitate unforeseen consequences for the masses, particularly a potential food grain shortage, that could leave many citizens starving.

FACTS AND GROUNDS OF CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY PETITIONER

2. Respondent No. 2 notified the NBP 2018 on 04th June 2018, thereby paving the way for production of bioethanol from agriculture residues, biomass, food grains, starch containing material etc. Until the notification of NBP 2018, bioethanol was sanctioned to be produced from non-food sources, such as molasses, cellulose, and lignocellulose material