AP to produce 3 MMT biodiesel by 2010 : AP CM

Hyderabad, Jan 29 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today asserted that the state would produce more than three Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of bio-diesel by taking up the plantation in 15 lakh acres by 2010 in the state.

Participating in a meeting with the Parliament Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas here, Dr Reddy said the government has launched a bio-diesel mission by taking up Pongamia and Jatroph plantation in 12 districts in 2006. The plantation of bio-diesel plants would be taken up on a large scale to provide employment opportunities, besides increasing bio-diesel output, he added.

He said two bio-diesel production units would be established in Nalgonda and East Godavari districts.

Urging the Centre to announce a 'bio-fuel policy', Dr Reddy opined that the procurement price of bio-diesel be increased and excempt customs and excise duties on the bio-diesel products to encourage the farmers in taking up the plantation, a statement said here.

UNI