TMB Report
In a recent letter addressed to Union Minister of State, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources; Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep S Puri underscored the people-centric approach of the Narendra Modi-led Union Government in various transformative initiatives in Manipur.
In a press release, it said the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources has successfully navigated challenges, ensuring that despite global escalations, petrol and diesel prices in Bharat have remained stable in the past two years, distinguishing the nation from developed countries and neighboring 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 release said.
The press release also said that the commendable increase in ethanol blending, from 1.53% in 2014 to an impressive 11.8% 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.
In an exemplary effort to bolster energy infrastructure and accessibility in the Inner-Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, the release said that the collaborative efforts of the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) and unwavering support from the state government have yielded impressive results. The region has witnessed an 80% surge in the number of petrol pumps and a remarkable 79% 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 3.65 crores, 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. 9265 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 Northeast region’s rich hydrocarbon potential, fostering sustainable growth and energy accessibility in the region, the press release added.
