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Finance Ministry adopts e-mobility to cut costs, pollution
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) In a move aimed at reducing air pollution and carbon emissions, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday launched the induction of 15 electric vehicles in the Ministry which is likely to save 36,000 litres of fuel each year.
The Finance Ministry’s initiative, which follows e-mobility efforts by other Central and state government departments, is part of an ambition to replace the government’s 5,00,000 conventional internal combustion engine cars with electric variants.
“The 15 electric vehicles, Mahindra e-Verito, has been taken on lease at Rs 40,000 per month per car for joint secretaries and senior officials of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). It will save 36,000 litres of fuel each year,” a Finance Ministry official said.
Further, four fast charging points (DC chargers) and 24 slow charging points (AC chargers) have been installed at the North Block for charging these vehicles. While the DC charger takes 90 minutes, AC charger takes 6 hours to fully charge the car battery.
The DEA has signed an agreement with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a joint venture of public sector units under the Ministry of Power, for deployment of the 15 electric vehicles. Other departments in the Ministry are likely to adopt e-mobility soon.
“With the induction of these 15 vehicles being provided on lease basis for a period of 5 years, DEA is expected to save over 36,000 litres of fuel every year besides leading to reduction of over 440 tonnes of CO2 annually,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
The country spends Rs 7 lakh crore on importing crude oil each year. Apart from contributing to high pollution, it is a big problem for the local economy. E-mobility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector and reduce pollution level in cities.
“With this development, the DEA begins its transition towards a reduced carbon footprint and a more environmentally sustainable future. It marks its participation in India’s e-mobility goal of 30 per cent fleet electrification by 2030,” the Ministry said.
With this development, the DEA marks its participation in India’s e-mobility goal of 30 per cent fleet electrification by 2030. It has also issued an office memorandum for all the government offices in Delhi to switch over to electric vehicles (EVs).
Asserting e-mobility as a sustainable solution to mitigate climate change and threat to public health caused by vehicular emission, Jaitley said that EVs have the potential to boost India’s growth by enhancing manufacturing, job creation and technical capabilities.
Power Minister R.K. Singh, who jointly flagged off the EVs, said that the government is promoting e-mobility by taking a lead in changing its fleet of cars with electric cars and at the same time creating the Right Policy Framework enabling this ecosystem.
The maintenance and operating costs of these vehicles, which are automatic and fully air-conditioned with zero emission, is almost one fourth in comparison to an internal combustion engine. The only limitation is it can run 120 kms in one full charge.
–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.