The New Delhi-based Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) launched a month long pan-India campaign ‘SAKSHAM 2021 (Sanrakshan Kshamata Mahotsav)’ from January 16, 2021 to February 15 2021 to create awareness about the adverse impact of fossil fuels on health and environment, and to convince the consumers of fossil fuels to switch towards cleaner fuels.
- It was inaugurated by Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and Chairman, PCRA Tarun Kapoor at New Delhi.
- The tagline of the campaign is ‘Green and Clean Energy’ (Hindi- हरित एवं स्वच्छ ऊर्जा).
- During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between PCRA and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for promotion of Energy Efficient PNG (Piped Natural Gas) Stove.
- Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) is organizing agency of the campaign.
Key Points:
–The campaign will see a large number of activities undertaken by Oil & Gas PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings), Regional Level Coordinator (RLC) and State Level Coordinator (SLC). These activities are planned, coordinated and monitored by PCRA as a nodal organization.
–The activities include cyclothon, farmer workshops, seminars, CNG vehicle driving contest, etc will spread awareness among masses about the advantages of using clean fuels.
- Cyclothon will be held in 300 cities.
–PCRA will also organize the National Level Painting, Quiz and Essay Competition (in 23 languages) for students.
—-The conservation of fuel helps in reducing India’s dependency on import of crude oil.
Saksham 2021 Awards for Oil & Gas Conservation:
Tarun Kapoor also presented Saksham 2021 awards to recognize State Governments and Oil Companies for Oil & Gas Conservation. He also awarded STUs (State Transport Undertakings) for KMPL (Kilometers Per Litre) improvement. Following tables shows list of important awards:
| Award | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Performance Award for SLC | Category-I (Big State) | SLC Tamil Nadu and Puducherry |
| Best Overall Performance Award for SLC | Category-II (Small State) | SLC Chandigarh |
| Best Overall Performance Award for State Govt. | Category-I (Big State) | Tamil Nadu |
| Best Overall Performance Award for State Govt | Category-II (Small State) | Chandigarh |
| Best Overall Performance Award for Upstream Sector | – | Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) |
| Best Overall Performance Award for OMC | – | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) |
The award for the “Best performance in PAT Cycle-II for Refineries” was conferred upon Bharat Oman Refinery Limited (BORL) based in Bina, Madhya Pradesh (MP).
Additional Info:
–There are 11 Oil & Gas PSUs viz. as follows:
| Oil & Gas PSUs | Headquarter |
|---|---|
| IOCL | New Delhi |
| ONGC | New Delhi |
| GAIL (formerly known as Gas Authority of India Ltd.) | New Delhi
|
| Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) | New Delhi |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) | Mumbai |
| Oil India Limited (OIL) | Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP) |
| Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) | Mumbai |
| Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) | Mangaluru, Karnataka
|
| Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu
|
| Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) | Numaligarh, Assam |
–During the India Energy Week in Oct 2020, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi highlighted 7 key drives which would help India move towards cleaner energy. These are
- Accelerating our efforts to move towards a gas-based economy
- Cleaner use of fossil fuels particularly petroleum and coal
- Greater reliance on domestic sources to drive bio-fuels
- Achieving the renewables target of 450 GW by 2030
- Increasing the contribution of electricity to de-carbonize mobility
- Moving into the emerging fuels, including hydrogen
- Digital innovation across all the energy systems
Green Energy Schemes Launched by India:
India had launched Green Energy Schemes Launched by India so far,
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme aims to install 10,000 MW of decentralised grid connected renewable energy power plants.
- Grid Connected Roof top Solar Programme aims to achieve a cumulative capacity of 40,000 MW of Rooftop solar power projects by 2022.
- National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy aim of the policy is to provide a framework to promote large grid connected wind-solar hybrid system.
- National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015. The main objective of the policy is to develop offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY)-Phase 2 will cover installation of 3,04,500 Solar Street Lights (SSLs).
Recent Related News:
i .On December 1, 2020, Union Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Forest Minister (MoEFCC), Prakash Javadekar represented India at the 2020 Industry Transition Leadership Summit organized by Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
ii.On December 21, 2020, National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) launched the “JSA II: Catch the Rain” Awareness Generation Campaign in New Delhi. JSA stands for Jal Shakti Abhiyan on the tagline “catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls”.
About Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG):
Union Minister– Dharmendra Pradhan
Headquarter- New Delhi
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):
It is a Joint Venture (JV) of PSU under the Ministry of Power.
Chairman– Rajeev Sharma
Headquarter– New Delhi
