January 31, 2002

'20'

    Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, called for synergising efforts and devise new and innovative strategies for bringing about a change in the attitudes so that consumers adopt ways and means of conserving oil in their daily life. The conscious and judicious use of Oil and Gas by the countrymen would substantially reduce our import burden which is likely to touch Rs. 80,000 crore this year. Shri Naik said this while speaking at the concluding function of Petroleum Conservation Fortnight 2002, here today. According to the Minister, one drop of oil conserved is one drop of oil produced which leads to substantial saving in foreign exchange.

    The Minister outlined various steps taken by the Government to make available clean fuels in sufficient quantity. Shri Naik said, low sulphur diesel with 0.05% sulphur content has been introduced in four Metros (introduced in Delhi since 1^st March 2001). Unleaded petrol is being sold throughout the country since 1^st February 2000 and Benzene content in petrol has been reduced to 1% max. in Delhi and Mumbai. This has reduced vehicular pollution, especially in the Metros and State Capitals which have a large number of petrol and diesel driven vehicles. Out of a total of about 35 lakh vehicles in Delhi, about 54,000 ply on CNG. The noticeable improvement in air quality in Delhi can be mainly attributed to improvement in quality of petrol and diesel made available in Delhi, Shri Naik said.

    Shri Naik stressed the Government’s endeavour to make all kitchens in the country smoke-free. To achieve this objective, LPG connections have been made available on demand through out the country. This has reduced the use of polluting fuels such as wood, coal, etc., in the domestic sector, which also has salutary effect on the health of women in kitchen. He further added that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in refining of crude oil and is making sustained efforts to accelerate exploration and production of oil and gas in various potential areas of the country through investor-friendly New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). He said that these measures in conjunction with oil conservation efforts by the users in all sectors would pave way to self-sufficiency and all-round growth in the years to come.

    Shri Naik complemented the oil marketing companies, for having played a very responsible role, through their wide network of dealers and distributors, in educating the oil and gas consumers on the ways and means of conservation. He praised the oil companies’ contribution in increasing the reach of the message to the masses even in the hilly regions and semi-urban and rural areas. Shri Ram Naik also complemented the School children through out the country who had participated in the Oil Conservation Fortnight in the inclement weather.

    On this occasion Shri Naik gave away the "PCRA Awards for Excellence" to the Prize Winners which included State Transport Undertakings, Industries, Energy Auditors, Students and Teachers, etc., for their vital role in their respective fields towards conservation oil. The Minister also suggested that the award should also be given to media in the categories of print, electronic, also including media from Hindi and Regional languages.