Encouraged by the explorations taking place at Bokaro-Bermo coal belt by the State-owned ONGC, the Centre expressed great deal of optimism that Jharkhand can make into premier coal bed methane (CBM) producers of the world in the years to come.
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan observed this while underlining the scope of CBM utility in the industries settled locally in the State. “Jharkhand can make its own identity in the whole world through coal bed methane gas production. Coal methane gas will also benefit industries and transport industries with the domestic consumers of the State,” said the Union Minster on Monday speaking in the lPG Catalyst of Social Change Conference.
Data with the Ministry suggest that CBM resources are of the order of 2600 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) spread over 11 states in the country. Notably Jharkhand tops the list with 722.08 BCM.
He also went on praising the State Government for its commendable job in providing lPG connections under flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala scheme. “Jharkhand is the first State in the country where stove and first refill cylinder are given free with the lPG connection to poor. Even after being a backward State, the poor families associated with the Ujjwala scheme are making an average three refill annually. This is a huge achievement for the scheme,” said Pradhan.
He added that given the success of the Ujjwala scheme, this year the Centre has raised target of free lPG connections from five crore to eight crore for the State. The goal would be achieved by March 2020. So far 3.40 crore households have been given free lPG connections under the scheme. Pradhan also said that cities like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Bokaro would soon be supplied piped lPG gas.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das, in his address, reiterated the promise to take gas connections to every household, especially to the marginalised families. “Jharkhand Government will complete the goal of delivering lPG connections to every poor family of the State ahead of the target. In 2018, a target of providing lPG facility to 15-16 lakh poor families has been taken along with free first refill and stove. Along with getting the connection of lPG, we will also ensure significant change in the lives of these poor people,” Das said.
The Chief Minister, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to affluent persons, said the State has been benefited a lot after consumers have adopted the ‘Giveitup’ scheme nationally as well as in Jharkhand. “More and more people still need to leave subsidy. I appeal to people to spread awareness about leaving lPG subsidy. From this, the poor will get the benefit of lPG connections,” added the CM.
Members of Parliament Jagdambika Pal, Mahesh Poddar, Vice President of 20 point programme Rakesh Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Ashutosh Jindal, Professor of University of California KR Smith, CMD of Hindustan Petroleum MK Surana, Chairman of Indian Oil Sanjeev Singh, Director Marketing of BPCl, CEO of RDI Mita Priyadarshini, environmentalist Sunita Narayan and other dignitaries were also present.