Govt to cut broken rice in PDS to free up ethanol feedstock, says Food Secretary

The government plans to reduce broken rice in public distribution to 10% from 25%, freeing up 90 lakh tonnes annually for the ethanol sector. This move aims to ensure a stable feedstock supply for ethanol production, reduce reliance on whole grains, and improve PDS quality. The change is expected to bolster India's ethanol blending program amidst rising crude oil prices.