January 15, 2010 : Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, appealed to the public in general to make energy conservation as their way of life and minimize the use of oil and gas by disciplining life style in an eco-friendly manner.
He was addressing the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight inaugural ceremony organised by the Indian Oil Corporation, at Hotel Holiday Home here today.
Chief Minister said that with the better living standards of the people, use of oil and gas had increased tremendously and roads were choking with increased volume of vehicles. This has resulted into emission of more carbon dioxide gas into the environment bringing global warming and climate change. He said that developed countries had been responsible upto greater extent to cause heavy emissions. He said that energy consumption in United States was highest at 20 tonnes compared to 1.5 tonnes in India and 0.04 tonnes in Himachal Pradesh. He said that greater the energy consumption, greater would be environmental hazards. He said that unless energy consumption was not reduced, the threat of global warming would persist. He said that there was need to create mass awareness about the energy conservation amongst the society to save all living beings and to save the universe from global warming.
Prof. Dhumal said that there was need to reduce the number of oil and gas operated vehicles on road and minimize its use besides manufacturing energy efficient vehicles. He emphasized the need for relocating the vehicle workshops away from the national and state highways which too had been contributing towards the environmental hazards immensely besides causing road accidents.
He said that the State Government had successfully implemented Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna which had saved 270 lakh million units of electricity in one year valued at over Rs. 100 crore. He said that each of the 16.5 lakh domestic consumers of the State were provided energy efficient four CFL bulbs free of cost by spending Rs. 80 crore over the same. He commended the endeavour of the Oil Industry for launching Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight to educate people about the drastic impact of the increasing use of oil and gas in their daily life.
Chief Minister also administered Pledge to the audience to save oil and gas and motivate others to join the movement to make the planet earth worth living. He also flagged off the awareness van which will touch every nook and corner of the State during the fortnight.
Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, MLA said that Himachal Pradesh had shown path to rest of the country in saving the environment by initiating various practical steps.
Shri B.K.Thakur, State Coordinator, Oil Industry, welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed about the activities to be undertaken during the fortnight. He said that major share of the oil being used in the country was being imported at a very high price thereby loosing vast foreign exchange reserves.
Shri Rajat Gulati, proposed vote of thanks.
Shri Brij Lal, Chairman, Kailash Federation, Shri Tarsem Bharti, Member, State Road Transport Safety Council, Shri Rajesh Sharda, President, Shimla Urban BJP Mandal, Shri C.Palrasu, Director of Food and Civil Supplies, Municipal Councillors and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.