Bihar Ethanol Factory Shut: 300 Laborers Jobless, Migration Feared

• An ethanol factory in Begusarai, Bihar, has been shut for 20 days, leaving 300 laborers jobless.
• The closure is attributed to the central government's new ethanol policy, which reduced the purchase of ethanol from 100% to 60% of production.
• Factory manager Manish Tripathi stated that reduced demand and storage issues forced the production halt, impacting daily wage laborers severely.
• The new policy also negatively affects farmers, with maize prices dropping from 26-27 rupees to 20-21 rupees per kilogram.
• Laborers and local organizations are urging the government to review the policy to restart the factory and provide relief.

Why It Matters: A new ethanol policy has shut a Bihar factory, displacing 300 workers and impacting farmers.