Onkar Singh / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that 12 modern biofuel refineries worth Rs 10000 crore will be established across the country.
This will provide employment to 1.5 lakh youth. He was addressing an event on the occasion of World Biofuel Day 2018 in New Delhi.
Mr Modi said that biofuel can bring revolutionary changes in the lives of the farmers and that the government is making a huge investment towards converting biomass into biofuel.
Joined a programme on World Biofuel Day, which was attended by various stakeholders relating to the sector including farmers, scientists, students, officials and legislators. Sharing my remarks on the occasion. https://t.co/6N29XMyDBg pic.twitter.com/UmSwNQ3dqg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 10, 2018
He said, biofuel will play the bridge between environment and economic development. The Prime Minister said, the government is targeting ten per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2022 and 20 per cent by 2030. He said, record production of ethanol has happened in the last four years.
The Prime Minister also said that the government is trying to reduce dependence on CNG import and soon it will promote CNG vehicles in the villages. He said, the Centre is also working to make BioCNG from farm waste.
On the occasion, Prime Minister launched web portal PARIVESH, a single window for environmental, wildlife, forest and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances. He also released a book on National Biofuel Policy 2018.
Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, the government has focused on biofuels as it helps fight climate change and also helps sugarcane farmers to raise their income.