AP to take up bio-diesel plantation' under NREGP: YSR

Hyderabad, Aug 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today announced his government would take up bio-diesel plantation in 13 districts where National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) was under implementation.

Speaking at 'Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas' (Renewable Energy Day) organised by Non Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP) here, Dr Reddy said the government would plant Jetropa and Pongamia on one lakh acre of land each in 13 districts during this year. A sum of Rs 3,500 would be distributed per acre to farmers who came forward to plant the saplings.

The government would also create facilities to market the bio-diesel produced under NREGP.

Pointing out to increasing crude oil prices in world market and decreasing oil reserves leading to energy scarcity in future, he said the government would take up more schemes to promote bio-deisel plantation in the state.

He said there was also a need to create awareness among the school children on the importance of bio-deisel and non conventional energy.

The government would take steps to introduce energy curriculum in school syllabus in future.

UNI AP SRS HT1355