“In Maharashtra, we had to sit on our biofuel producing crops for nearly three years since the Centre did not opt to buy ethanol from us which can be used in petroleum products. The reason being the petroleum lobby that is sceptical of the increased use of biofuel,” he said.
With over 34 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being directed towards the buying of crude oil, the country needs to curb this and direct the same towards producing biofuel within the country, said Gadkari.
He appealed to the Prime Minister to provide the necessary tax breaks for producers of biofuel crops yielding ethanol, for they need to thrive and provide the necessary ‘import substitute’ to crude oil.
The BJP President hoped that all party-ruled states will emulate the same kind of environment provided for biofuel generation in Karnataka in the next few years.
Speaking at the National Conference on biofuel organised by the party’s cell on biofuel, Gadkari applauded the State’s effort in promoting biofuel programmes.
Biofuel crop area to go up
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the State was planning to increase the number of acres producing biofuel crops from 35,000 to one lakh acres in the near future.
“We will be giving the much needed impetus for the project by providing all possible financial assistance to the farmers to grow honge, jatropha and other biofuel producing seeds,” Yeddyurappa said.
The day-long workshop also featured talks by Y B Rama Krishna, Chairman, State Task Force on biofuel and the BJP biofuel cell convener Anna Saheb M K Patil.
Ministers to take the bus on Apr 4
To promote the use of public transport in the City, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said that on April 4, he and his Cabinet colleagues will use the BMTC bus service for their travel across the City.
“On the insistence of the Transport Minister and in view of promoting the public transport system, we will be using the public transport on Bus Day in the month of April for our work,” Yeddyurappa said.