New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): The GOBARdhan Scheme was formally launched at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday with the objective of converting biodegradable and animal waste generated in rural areas into useful bio-CNG and organic fertilisers. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the scheme aims to increase domestic production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) by nearly ten times.

Amid global energy market volatility arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Hardeep Singh Puri described the initiative as a transformative and significant step towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Union Minister said the scheme would not only convert biodegradable and animal waste available in rural areas into useful bio-CNG and organic fertilisers, but would also contribute to achieving India’s net-zero carbon goals and reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Later, while addressing the media, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dr Neeraj Mittal and Joint Secretary Alok Tripathi, elaborated on the credit guarantee support available to micro, small and medium enterprises. It was stated that financial assistance of up to Rs 2 crore per tonne per day of capacity would be provided. It was also announced that any individual or organisation in India can register through the GOBARdhan Unified Registration Portal. Registration will be mandatory for availing various benefits and assistance from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Earlier, in his inaugural address, Alok Tripathi, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that 217 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants are currently operational under the GOBARdhan initiative. These plants are producing approximately 0.4 million standard cubic metres of clean and renewable energy per day.

Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dr Neeraj Mittal emphasised the crucial role of state governments in ensuring the success of such initiatives. He said that states have an important role to play in implementing the initiative effectively and taking it to villages across the country.

The GOBARdhan Scheme is a national initiative of the Government of India aimed at converting cattle dung, agricultural residues and other organic waste into clean energy, including Compressed Biogas, as well as organic fertilisers. Various ministries and departments of the Government of India are working together to implement the initiative.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar