SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT, CHANDIGARH SRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF INAUGURATION AND LAUNCH OF SAKSHAM 2022 AT MGSIPA CHANDIGARH ON 11.04.2022

I am indeed very happy to be part of the “Sanrakshan Kshmata Mahotsav” – SAKSHAM 2022 being organised by the public sector Oil industry in Punjab and Chandigarh.

I am also pleased to learn that Oil PSUs, under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas & Petroleum Conservation Research Association are observing SAKSHAM 2022 and are embarking upon the onerous task of creating awareness among the General Public about the need for judicious use of Petroleum Products.

For a country like India, which is at the threshold of emerging economy of the world, it is the need of the hour to ensure optimum utilization of Petroleum Products across various end use segments.

I am sure that SAKSHAM will go a long way in promoting Conservations of Oil & Gas through various mass awareness activities planned by the Oil Industry members in Punjab.

As you all know, we are the 3rd largest petroleum consumer in the world after US and China.

Our domestic crude & gasproduction is unable to keep pace with high growth in demand of oil & gas; so, the country has become dependent on imports resulting in huge outgo of foreign exchange.

India imports 82% of its oil needs. We aim to bring it down to 67% by the end of 2022 by replacing it with local exploration, renewable energy and indigenous ethanol fuel.

The country’s heavy dependence on oil import is a matter of "serious concern" . There is an imperative need for efficient utilization and conservation of petroleum products through various means.

Based on the previous studies, it has been estimated that there exists up to 30% saving potential of petroleum products in major sectors namely the Domestic, Transport, Industry and Agriculture.

For instance, if we assume a perceived saving of just 3% of the main petroleum products, that is, the Diesel, Petrol and LPG by practicing simple "fuel saving tips and practices" on consumer side, the country would be able to save thousands of crores on annual basis .

Friends,

As India accelerated its growth momentum, there has been a corresponding increase in our energy requirements. India stands as the 6th largest economy in the world. With over a billion people, it supports nearly 18% of the global population and, therefore, needs to be assured of the availability of energy to sustain its growth to meet the aspirations of the people.

Adequate, affordable and sustainable supply of energy is one of the fundamental parameters determining the economic growth of any country. Energy is to national development what oxygen is to human life . All our cherished goals, such as improving the quality of life of our citizens and national security, need energy for their realisaiton.

Post-independence, when faced with food shortages we, via the Green Revolution route, attained self sufficiency in food grains. The White Revolution resulted in making India the largest producer of milk and milk products. It is time now for an Energy Revolution that will ensure our energy security, and reliably meet the demand for energy services of all its sectors and people.

Meeting this vision requires that we pursue all available fuel options and forms of energy, whether conventional, non-conventional, new or emerging as only a multi-pronged strategy that can better provide for stable energy situations.

It needs to be examined what can be the most efficient and productive mix of energy sources and how in the national energy grid, conventional and non-conventional forms of energy can complement each other.

We in India have been cognizant of the energy challenges of the present and the future. We are aware of the need to find viable strategies to explore, produce and refine more from our own hydrocarbon resources. Without substantial domestic production, the nation would be subject to the volatility in crude oil supplies and Oil Security would be difficult to achieve.

While exploration is the key challenge, equally important is the urgent need to promote conservation of energy to secure economic development. Increased efficiency in the use of petroleum products offers the most immediate and cost effective opportunity to reduce resource consumption . Therefore, Energy Conservation must become a way of life in Government, Industry and Society.

Some of the steps, which could help in this endeavour, include proper educational programs for energy users, fiscal incentives for developing energy-efficient and environment-friendly technologies, and fiscal measures to adopt such technologies.

Although our primary dependence on fossil fuels is likely to continue in the fore-seeable future, other energy resources - including hydro-electricity, wind, solar, nuclear energy and bio-fuels - would occupy more space in the energy mix.

Environmental concerns as well as the finite supply of fossil fuels will be factors that will propel decisions in this direction.

I have been informed that the theme of Saksham 2022 is the

"Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav through Green & Clean Energy”; this aptly matches with nation's drive towards Green fuels.

Every clean energy campaign should highlight the adverse health and environmental impacts of increasing carbon footprints and convince consumers to switch to cleaner fuels.

I suggest as a part of the awareness campaign, various activities such as cyclothons, farmers workshops, seminars, painting competitions should be held across the City and the State to spread awareness among the masses about the advantages of using clean fuels.

The campaign should also spread awareness about 7 key drivers as mentioned by Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji which collectively help the country in moving towards cleaner energy.

These key drivers include

  • leading towards a gas-based economy,
  • cleaner use of fossil fuels,
  • greater reliance on domestic sources,
  • achieving renewable targets within the set deadlines,
  • increased use of electric vehicles to decarbonize mobility,
  • increased use of cleaner fuels like Hydrogen,
  • and digital innovation across all energy systems.

According to data from Lancet which is really heart rending, 1·67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India in 2021. So, surging towards cleaner fuels is imperative!

Cleaner Fuels can definitely improve air quality, reduce oil imports and provide economic benefits to the country.

Govt. of India decided to leapfrog directly from BS four (IV) to BS six (VI) by skipping BS five (V) emission norms across the country with effect from April 2020. While nationwide supply of BS six (VI) quality fuels has commenced from 1st April 2020.

Friends,

Oil is like time… once gone, it will never come back.” This thought should resonate in all our actions in day to day life to achieve meaningful contribution towards petroleum conservation.

I believe, SAKSHAM will create further awareness in all age-groups about the judicious use of petroleum resources, which will help in bringing about the behavioural and social changes and in sustaining the scarce resources.

Conservation of oil and gas will help us channelize our financial resources to other important sectors of the economy.

We also have to enthusiastically adopt habits like using public transport for commuting, using bicycles whenever possible, carpooling, and safe and eco-friendly driving skills and use of energy-efficient equipments. This will help to create a cleaner & better India.

Together we should start acting on bringing about small changes in our everyday life as “Small actions by a lot of people can bring a sea of change”.

The need of the hour is to conserve petroleum by its judicious use, substituting it by other resources wherever feasible and restricting its use only to the essential needs.

Petroleum Conservation becomes our joint responsibility, be it the industries, individual citizens, organisations, Oil Companies and the Government.

“Each drop of oil conserved is equal to a drop of oil produced.” This noble thought should resonate in all our actions in the day to day life to achieve meaningful contribution towards petroleum conservation.

Friends,

Moving towards Green City theme, we in Chandigarh have passed Electric Vehicle Policy and are introducing electric buses. We are encouraging people to pool vehicle and use e-bikes as and when possible. We are aiming towards making Chandigarh Carbon neutral by 2030.

I once again appreciate the laudable work that Oil PSU's are doing in the process of spreading awareness on Oil & Gas conservation and on the efforts of shifting towards Cleaner Energy.

We must remember that we owe a moral responsibility to our future generations and co-inhabitants of the earth to provide them a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Therefore, I urge upon every citizen of Punjab and Chandigarh to use the fossil fuels judiciously and to shift to cleaner fuels namely Ethanol Blended fuels, Bio Gas, LPG, CNG, PNG and CBG wherever possible, to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier and prosperous India.

My best wishes are with the Oil Industry of Punjab and Chandigarh for the success of this event and appeal to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh to overwhelmingly participate in the awareness programs being organized during the month.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.