In light of the maize crisis in Karnataka, the state government has convened a meeting of distillers and ethanol producers on Friday to discuss the matter, even as it considers buying one million tonnes for the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
Corn is one of the raw materials used in the production of ethanol.
“Ideally, there should not be a problem. The Center has reduced ethanol production capacity and state allocation. Unfortunately, it has reduced it to 20%. The Center is ignoring farmers’ problems,” Law and Parliament Minister HK Patil told reporters at a post-Cabinet briefing.
He said the government has taken serious note of the development in maize cultivation.
Mr. Patil said that maize farmers were affected on multiple fronts and said that while the ethanol allocation was reduced, the procurement of maize fell by 10%. “Earlier, maize purchases were at 40%, which has been reduced to 30%. In fact, the purchase rate should be increased to 50%,” he said.
Other decisions
The cabinet, among other decisions, approved the allotment of five acres to the Murugodu Bangle Producers Foundation, a special purpose vehicle that will create a common facility hub. An amount of ₹ 1.49 crore, which is 15% of ₹ 9.95 crore, was sanctioned as state share.
The Cabinet also approved ₹143.6 crore for the operation and management of the State Data Centre, Disaster Recovery Center and Disaster Recovery Center to be identified for a period of five years.
Mr. Patil said that ₹ 74.10 crore has been sanctioned for construction of 114 Ayushman Health Centres, ₹ 200 crore for construction of check dams and development of lakes in Kalyana Karnataka region, ₹ 200 crore for entry of barrage bridge over Sharavati river at Kanad.attara river to prevent Muhammad salt water intrusion of salt water at Sharavati river.
Published – 27 Nov 2025 20:47 IST
