New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- The government has directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) to stop procuring ethanol made from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses in the 2026-27 supply year, starting November, as it seeks to preserve domestic sugar supplies amid renewed price pressures and weather-related risks to production. The ethanol blending programme was initially aimed at supporting sugarcane farmers, utilising surplus sugar production and helping mills clear cane dues by providing an alternative market for sugarcane-based products. However, the restriction will not apply to C-heavy molasses, a by-product of sugar manufacturing that does not contain recoverable sugar, according to a tender issued by Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BP...