NEW DELHI: Launching the campaign here, Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma said "Conservation of 25 percent of petroleum products would result in a saving of about 250 billion for the country, which can be better utilised for developing infrastructure, providing education, health care, drinking water and irrigation facilities and development of roads and highways." The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) is observing Oil Conservation Fortnight 2003 (OCF 2003) from January 15-31 in association with the oil industry. The fortnight will see intensive multi-sectoral awareness campaign to bring home the message of oil conservation. Verma called upon 3,000 children who had assembled on a foggy and cold morning here to impress upon their parents and friends the need for adopting steps to conserve oil in view of the country's heavy import dependence. Importing 70 percent of its domestic requirement, India's oil import bill last year was 780 billion. M.S. Srinivasan, additional secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and vice chairman PCRA, also reiterated the need for oil conservation as it would help to protect the environment against the phenomenon of climate change. In addition to the holding of children's rallies, this year's Conservation Fortnight will see "Save Oil Two-Wheeler Women's Rally 2003" being organized to make women in particular aware of the importance of oil conservation so that she can educate her entire family.
Source: IANS