New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) The Group of Ministers (GoM) on bio-ethanol today deferred a decision on increasing the prices of ethanol for blending with petrol due to absence of key ministers and will meet again on September 20.

The GoM discussed the proposals made by PMEAC Chairman C Rangarajan and expert committee-headed by Planning Commission member Soumitra Choudhary on ethanol pricing, but the panel decided not to take any decision as Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M K Alagiri were not present in the meeting.

At present, oil marketing companies buy ethanol at Rs 27 per litre from sugar companies for blending with petrol.

"Petroleum Minister was not present in the meeting. We thought it is a major decision and it was not proper to take decision in his absence. We will meet again," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who heads the GoM, said.