Govt. to introduce biofuel policies and incentives: Pradhan

The Government of India on Thursday celebrated World Biofuel Day by announcing to introduce biofuel policies and incentives for a pollution free environment.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, while addressing the event, said, "The government has taken a step ahead to generate biofuel which would lead to a pollution free environment and also save imports of petrol adding to the growth of Indian economy."

"This time we have chosen education sector to contribute in biofuel generation. I appeal the youth of the nation to actively participate in the programme for the public interest and create awareness among the society to reduce pollution," he added.

He also said that crops that can be grown in arid regions of Vidarbha, Bundelkhand, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha will be used for promoting biofuels.

Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari asserted that generation of biofuel would be an add-on to the public transport which at present is totally dependent on diesel and petrol.

He was of the view that the unused land along the highways and in the forests to produce raw material for the biofuel.

"This policy would create employment opportunities among people who would contribute to promote clean fuels in the transport sector," he added.