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OMCs ready to pay higher offtake for biofuel: Pradhan
New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) The government is prepared to pay a higher offtake price to producers of biofuel than it does for fossil fuels in a bid to boost the use of clean energy, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Delhi Energy Dialogue conclave here organised by Ashden India, he also said that the government is prepared to loan entrepreneurs up to Rs 1 crore for setting up biofuel plants.
Noting that state-run Indian Oil Corp has agreed to give offtake guarantees to bio-gas producers, Pradhan said: “For bio-fuels, the offtake amount works out to a little more than for the traditional one which factors in the price of crude oil, refining…but we are ready to give this extra amount to promote renewable energy.”
“Government is committed to any amount for green energy…entrepreneurs can get loan of up to Rs 1 crore,” he said, adding that the Union Budget 2018-19, presented last month, had announced incentives for “waste-to-wealth” conversion projects, including the Gobar Dhan scheme focused on producing bio-CNG.
Pradhan announced last week that the government will soon bring out a National Biofuels Policy for a sector poised to become an economy worth Rs 1 lakh crore.
The policy would detail the architecture for India to make the move towards adopting second generation, or advanced, biofuels, from the current first generation ones being used, which are essentially sugar-based.
He also said that state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) are preparing to set up 12 advanced biofuel refineries in various states over the coming years.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday at the curtain raiser of the upcoming 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) event, Pradhan renewed India’s call for “responsible” crude oil prices, expressing confidence in the IEF’s ability to create a roadmap for a new pricing mechanism.
“We all are concerned about responsible price mechanism. We do not expect low oil prices and understand the various difficulties of low prices in the long haul – decrease in exploration and production activities, low capital expenditure environment,” he said.
“However, we also have to take care of the interest of the consumers especially in an aspiring country like India. We need a balance. We have to have affordable energy price,” he added.
The 16th ministerial meeting of the IEF is being held in India after 22 years.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.