Jaipur: The Rajasthan government is considering introducing new legislation aimed at tackling the growing issue of biofuel adulteration in the state, a senior official from the rural development department confirmed. While the Rajasthan Biofuel Rules, 2019 are already in place, officials acknowledge that these rules do not currently include provisions for penalising those involved in the adulteration of biofuels, reports The Times of India.
“We will have to look at various options to revise the existing rules and bring in new legislation to ensure punitive action against manufacturers and retailers of adulterated biofuel in the state,” the official said. He added that several factors must be reviewed before finalising the changes, including current legal provisions and the scope for penalties such as licence cancellation or imprisonment.
The move follows instructions from Rajasthan’s Rural Development and Agriculture Minister, Kirori Lal Meena, who recently directed the Biofuel Authority to amend the 2019 rules to incorporate punitive measures for those dealing in adulterated biodiesel (B-100). The minister also asked officials to draft strong and enforceable rules at the appropriate administrative level.
Minister Meena has been leading a statewide crackdown on counterfeit agricultural products, including fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, and biodiesel. In one recent operation, he raided a biodiesel manufacturing unit in Sirohi, where a large quantity of fake biodiesel was discovered, as per the report.
The proposed legislation is expected to enhance regulatory oversight and introduce stricter penalties to deter illegal activities in the biofuel sector, ensuring higher fuel quality standards and protecting both consumers and the environment.
