Nuclear energy to help sustain 10 per cent growt rate: PM

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Underlining the crucial need for energy security which cannot be met with oil and gas alone, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government was committed to develop nuclear energy at a time when the country aims for a 10 per cent growth rate.

''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 said at ONGC function function here.

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

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

The government is committed to the development of nuclear energy.'' He said, when the country aims for a 10 per cent growth rate the critical importance of energy security must be realised.

Expressing his concern over the growing import bills for imported crude oil, he said that 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 Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhavan complex here.

UNI