PRADHAN MANTRI JI-VAN YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the extended Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana to boost advanced biofuel projects.

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana

• Objective: This Yojana aims to provide financial support for Integrated Bioethanol Projects utilizing lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks.
• Implementation Agency: The Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), will oversee the scheme’s implementation.
• Project Scope: The Yojana plans to establish 12 commercial-scale Second Generation (2G) Bioethanol projects and 10 demonstration-scale 2G Bioethanol projects using non-food biomass feedstocks and other renewable resources.
• Features: 

o Remunerative Income for Farmers

o Environmental Pollution Mitigation

o Local Employment Opportunities

o Energy Security and Self-Reliance

o Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2070

o Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) through commercially viable 2G Ethanol projects

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF):

o Phase-I (2018-19 to 2022-23): Support for six commercial projects and five demonstration projects.

o Phase-II (2020-21 to 2023-24): Support for the remaining six commercial projects and five demonstration projects.

Recent Changes

• Implementation Extension: The scheme's implementation period has been extended by five years, now running through 2028-29.
• Scope Expansion: The revamped Yojana now includes advanced biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks, covering agricultural and forestry residues, industrial waste, synthesis gas (syngas), and algae.
• Eligibility for Existing Plants: Both ‘bolt-on’ plants (which upgrade existing facilities) and ‘brownfield projects’ (revamping existing facilities) are now eligible, encouraging existing players to improve the viability of their operations.