Union minister dissects centre's transformative initiatives in state
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, January 05 2024: In a recent letter addressed to Union minister of state Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Union minister for petroleum & natural resources Hardeep S Puri underscored the people-centric approach of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government in various transformative initiatives in Manipur.

As per a press release, in an exemplary effort to bolster energy infrastructure and accessibility in the Inner-Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, the collaborative efforts of the sitting members of parliament (MPs) and unwavering support from the state government have yielded impressive results.

The region has witnessed an 80 per cent surge in the number of petrol pumps and a remarkable 79 per cent increase in total LPG connections, currently standing at 4.3 lakhs - an extraordinary improvement from the statistics of 2014 to 2023.Additionally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, valued at Rs 3.65 crore, have significantly contributed to the overall development of the constituency.

Aligned with the broader energy development strategy for Manipur, the North East Gas Grid (NEGG) project, spearheaded by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), is underway.

Comprising IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL, and NRL, the NEGG project, spanning 1660 km and costing Rs 29,265 crore, aims to supply natural gas to all eight North-Eastern states, including Manipur.

Approximately 94 km of the pipeline traverses through Manipur, facilitating the development of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections.

This strategic initiative is poised to leverage the NE region s rich hydrocarbon potential, fostering sustainable growth and energy accessibility in the region.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources has successfully navigated challenges, ensuring that despite global escalations, petrol and diesel prices in India remain stable in the past two years, distinguishing the nation from developed countries and neighbouring counterparts.

Amidst surging international crude oil prices, the central government's strategic reduction of Central Excise Duty has led to a substantial decrease of Rs 13 and Rs 16 per litre for petrol and diesel, respectively, directly benefiting consumers and mitigating the impact of soaring global crude oil prices.

The commendable increase in ethanol blending, from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to an impressive 11.8 per cent in 2023, has not only significantly curbed carbon emissions but has also resulted in substantial foreign exchange savings amounting to Rs 73,000 crore.

The flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has played a pivotal role in transforming rural households, providing clean cooking fuel, empowering women, and enhancing overall health.

With 31.64 crore active LPG consumers, the PMUY initiative has already benefited 9.60 crore households, and the recent decision to provide an additional 75 lakh Ujjwala connections is set to raise the total number of PMUY beneficiaries to 10.35 crore.

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