Advertisment

Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNG

author-image
Bindu J
New Update
Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNG
Advertisment
Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNG : Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd for setting up of bio-gas and bio-CNG plants in the state, as part of the state’s concerted efforts to find sustainable solutions to paddy straw burning, which has emerged as a major
Advertisment
environmental concern.Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNGThe MoU with IOC was signed by Punjab Bureau of Industrial Promotion (PBIP) and Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), in the presence of the Chief Minister. It will facilitate regulatory clearances and incentives by the state government and will be followed up with a separate technical cooperation MoU between the public sector undertaking and PEDA. The plants, to be based on a new concept and technology, will be set up at a total investment of Rs 5000 crores, and will generate employment for around 4000 people. The project will be initiated with 42 plants becoming operational in 2018, probably before the paddy season. It will be scaled up to 400 plants over the next 3-4 years, making it the one of the biggest such projects in the country.Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNGIt is estimated that 400 units will consume biomass of about 10 million tons per year and will produce about 1400 million kg per year CNG and 6000 million kg per year manure. The IOC CGM Subodh Kumar underlined the viability of the project, which was expected to generate 18-20 per cent people profits. Punjab Chief Minister suggested setting up of societies of unemployed youth and encourage them to set up the proposed units with the support of the state government, and the IOC taking up the end product sales. The IOC CGM agreed to explore the suggestion. According to an official spokesperson, the parties will explore possibilities for further reduction on the taxes currently applicable on compressed bio-gas/ bio-CNG/ compost/ fermented manure, bio pesticide, CO2, slurry etc. They will also facilitate promotion of agriculture extension activities to farmers in the command area, including awareness programme for organic manure, he added.Punjab signs MoU with IOC for Biogas and Bio-CNGWhile PEDA will be the coordinating agency for the government, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal suggested providing a nodal officer to IOC to ensure seamless coordination. According to IOC officials, the technology needs no energy input and nutrient requirements. It requires a smaller footprint area compared to composting and the entire process takes places in a closed vessel system, thus causing no greenhouse emissions and no problem of odor and birds/rodents. The process is also cost-effective due to the current fuel/electricity prices. - PTC News  -
punjab-government latest-news-in-punjabi latest-news-in-punjab mou bio-gas indian-oil-corporation-ltd bio-cng
Advertisment

Stay updated with the latest news headlines.

Follow us:
Advertisment