Considering the huge amount spent on importing the bulk of the nation’s crude oil demand, citizens should contribute to the welfare of the nation by ensuring their bit for conservation of fuel. The State’s Agriculture and Horticulture minister Subodh Uniyal said this while inaugurating the Saksham Mahotsav at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum here on Thursday.

The programme organised by Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas along with oil industries is being observed from January 16 to February 15 with the theme ‘Save Fuel and Energy to Save the Environment’.

Addressing the gathering, the cabinet minister said that India is importing 80 per cent of its crude oil and spending a huge amount of money for this. Appreciating the efforts made by PCRA and the CSIR-IIP in conserving the energy, he appealed the public to give their best to save the fuel for the progress of country.  He emphasised that such type of programmes will educate the people to save energy. 

Expressing his views on the occasion, the chancellor of UPES, SJ Chopra said that as per recent studies, the energy requirement will double by the year 2040 and that it is essential to save energy.  He also shared some tips for conservation of energy. Later, the CSIR-IIP director Anjan Ray interacted with the students of various schools and discussed about the fuel and its conservation related solutions.

State level coordinator of oil industry Manoj Jayant informed about the different activities to be conducted during the month and also gave some useful tips to save energy.

An exhibition was also organised wherein room temperature bio-diesel, electric vehicle and PNG burner developed by CSIR-IIP were showcased.  A human chain was formed and a Saksham vehicle was also flagged off on the occasion.