Ban lifted on bamboo cutting
With an aim at promoting clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Assam Bioethanol Plant and laid a foundation stone for polypropylene plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) at Golaghat in Assam on 14 Sept.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, PM Modi announced that projects worth approximately Rs.18,000 crore have been allocated to Assam, and reiterated the state’s role as originator of petroleum products in the country.
The ethanol plant and the new polypropylene plant will boost industrial growth in Assam, accelerate the state’s development, and create new opportunities for farmers and youth, said the PM as he congratulated all for these initiatives.
“As the country progresses, the demand for electricity, gas, and fuel is also rising,” said PM Modi, pointing out the ever-increasing cost to India for having been dependent on foreign sources for these energy needs, importing large quantities of crude oil and gas https://www.opec.org/.
“As a result, the nation has had to pay lakhs of crores of rupees annually to other countries, which in turn boosts employment and income abroad,” underlined the Prime Minister, emphasizing that this situation needed to be changed.
He affirmed that India has now embarked on the path of becoming self-reliant in meeting its energy requirements https://www.globaltenders.com/.
Noting that India is simultaneously working on discovering new reserves of crude oil and gas within the country while also enhancing its green energy capabilities, Modi repeated his announcement from the Red Fort regarding the ‘Samudra Manthan’ initiative.
He highlighted expert assessments suggesting that India’s seas may hold substantial reserves of oil and gas. To ensure these resources are harnessed for national development, the Prime Minister also mentioned the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission http://commerce.gov.in.
“India is making rapid strides in the field of green energy and renewable power generation,” added PM Modi, remarking that India ranks among the top five countries globally in solar energy capacity. A decade ago, India lagged significantly in solar power production.
“In the changing times, India requires alternative fuels to reduce dependence on oil and gas,” emphasised the PM, highlighting ethanol as one such viable option.
He informed that a new plant producing ethanol from bamboo, inaugurated on 14 Sept, will greatly benefit farmers and tribal communities in Assam https://www.nseindia.com/.
Stating that arrangements are being made to ensure a steady supply of bamboo for operating the bio-ethanol plant, Modi highlighted that the government will support local farmers in cultivating bamboo and will also procure it directly.
He informed that small units related to bamboo chipping will be established in the region.
The Prime Minister announced that approximately Rs.200 crore will be spent annually in this sector https://www.bseindia.com/ .
He also lifted the ban on bamboo cutting, saying this decision is now delivering substantial benefits to the people of the North East.
Prior to the announcement, cutting bamboo could lead to imprisonment as it was considered an integral part of daily life for tribal communities.
Remarking that people use a wide range of plastic items in their daily lives, such as buckets, mugs, boxes, chairs, tables, and packaging materials, the Prime Minister explained that all these products require polypropylene, without which modern life is difficult to imagine https://sbi.com.in/.
He highlighted that polypropylene is used to manufacture carpets, ropes, bags, fibers, masks, medical kits, and textiles, and also plays a vital role in the automotive sector as well as in producing medical and agricultural equipment.
Assam has received the gift of a modern polypropylene plant, said PM Modi, adding that the plant will strengthen the foundation of ‘Make in Assam’ and ‘Make in India’, and will also boost other manufacturing industries in the region https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Assam identity will now also include textiles made from polypropylene, just as Assam is known for its traditional Gamosa and its renowned Eri and Muga silk, he highlighted.
Further the Prime Minister expressed strong confidence in Assam’s capabilities and said that the state has been chosen for a major national initiative — the Semiconductor Mission.
He elaborated on branding the state, citing how Assam Tea, once relatively unknown during colonial times, was transformed into a global brand by the land and people of Assam https://sbi.com.in/.
The PM emphasized that in this new era, India’s self-reliance depends on two critical sectors: energy and semiconductors, and Assam is playing a vital role in both.
Prime Minister said that from bank cards and mobile phones to cars, aircraft, and space missions, the core of every electronic device lies in a small electronic chip. He emphasized that if India aims to manufacture these products domestically, it must also produce its own chips. To achieve this, India has launched the Semiconductor Mission, with Assam serving as a major foundation for this initiative.
PM underscored that the Rs.27,000 crore semiconductor factory, being constructed in Morigaon, is a matter of great pride for Assam https://iesaonline.org/.
“A new era of development has begun in Assam and Assam is poised to become a major centre for trade and tourism,” exclaimed the Prime Minister, affirming the collective resolve to build a developed Assam and a developed India by once again extending his best wishes to all for the development projects. Fiinews.com
