News Release Details

Vice President of India launches 5% Ethanol-Blended Petrol Programme at a Delhi Petrol/Diesel Station awarded to family of Martyr of Parliament Attack
New Delhi   15-May-2007
The Honble Vice President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, has formally launched the 5% Ethanol-Blended Petrol (EBP) programme at New Delhi today and also inaugurated M/s. Shaheed Matbar Singh Negi Filling Point, a petrol/diesel station located at Rohini allotted to the family of Shaheed Matbar Singh Negi who sacrificed his life while defending the Indian Parliament from terrorist attack on 13th December, 2001. Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, presided over the function which was attended by several dignitaries, Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Sajjan Kumar and others. The EBP programme is part of the UPA Governments commitment to put in place policies that enhance the country’s energy security. The programme marks a significant step in utilising alternative, renewable and environment-friendly sources of energy like ethanol to supplement hydrocarbon fuels. The EBP Programme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is primarily based on indigenously produced ethanol from sugarcane molasses, which, besides augmenting fuel availability in the country, would also provide better returns for sugarcane farmers. Further, ethanol is environment-friendly as it enhances combustion of petrol, resulting in lower emission of pollutants. To implement the programme nationwide, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had issued notifications for implementation of EBP on all-India basis except in Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshdweep where Ethanol cannot be made available due to logistic reasons. With effect from November 2006, supply of EBP commenced initially in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and subsequently in Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. Oil companies have also issued a letter of intent for procurement of Ethanol in the States of Bihar and Jharkhand and supplies will commence shortly. The Honble Vice President of India also inaugurated M/s Shaheed Matbar Singh Negi Filling Point, a petrol & diesel station allotted to the family of Shaheed Matbar Singh Negi, who laid down his life while defending the Indian Parliament from terrorist attack on 13th December, 2001. He was decorated with the Ashok Chakra posthumously for his gallant act. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has allotted nine petrol pumps to the families of the martyrs who laid down their lives during the attack on Parliament. Families of the martyrs of Operation Vijay (Kargil) were awarded 303 petrol stations and 142 LPG distributorships so that they live with honour and dignity.