Government committed to develop nuclear energy

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Underlining the crucial need for energy security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government was committed to develop nuclear energy.

''From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs.

Our Government is committed to the development of nuclear energy,'' the Prime Minister said at a ONGC function here.

Specifying the need for energy, Dr Manmohan Singh said that real energy security implies assured supply of good quality energy at affordable prices.

He said, when the country aims for a 10 per cent growth rate the critical importance of energy security must be realised.

''India's energy needs, which will grow with the pace of economic development, cannot be met with oil and gas for long'', the Prime Minister added.

Expressing his concern over the growing import bills for imported crude oil, he said, as we grow, import oil bill will put an unbearable and an unsustainable burden on our economy.

The Chairperson of UPA Sonia Gandhi, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora and his deputy Dinsha Patel, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Tejinder Khanna, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit were among those present on foundation stone laying ceremony of ONGC's new office complex here.

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