"Providing access to LPG across India by 2020 is a major achievement. It is not an energy issue, it is an economic issue, it is a social issue," Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's signature Ujjwala scheme for providing free cooking gas connection to poor on Friday came in for praise from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which said it is a "major achievement" in improving the environment and health of women.
"Providing access to LPG across India by 2020 is a major achievement. It is not an energy issue, it is an economic issue, it is a social issue," IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said at a conference.
Launched by Modi on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women and children by providing free cooking gas (LPG) connection to poor families.
So far, about 7.4 crore such connections have been given. The target is to give 8 crore connections by 2020.
The #PMUY has emerged as a game changer in ending energy poverty, providing energy justice and empowering women. Providing LPG to all households across India 2020 is a major achievement. Never underestimate this: ED, IEA- @IEABirol #EnergyHorizons2019 pic.twitter.com/98A6CCFxPL
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (@PetroleumMin) July 19, 2019
Use of forest wood and agriculture waste for cooking in rural households is a major source of respiratory diseases, affecting women and children, he said adding LPG is helping to provide a clean environment.
Since the BJP government came to power in 2014, the number of LPG connections in the country has doubled to more than 26 crore, covering about 90 percent of the population. The target is to provide LPG connection, which is clean, convenient and energy-efficient source for cooking, to all households by 2020-21.
Last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also hailed the scheme.
"In just two years, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme has provided some 37 million women living below the poverty line with free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use," the WHO report had said.
(With inputs from PTI)
1. There is trust in Indian economy and political stability: Fatih Birol
)
Speaking about the Indian economy and political stability, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said, "There is trust in the (Indian) economy, there is trust in the political stability (in the country).
India became an associate member of the IEA in 2017. The IEA is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and beyond.
Birol said IEA represents 75 percent of global energy users and is working very closely with India.
Dr. Fatih Birol @IEABirol, ED @IEA praised the leadership of Hon. PM PM Shri @narendramodi and Shri @dpradhanbjp for being major influencers in advocating energy justice. #EnergyHorizons @CEEWIndia pic.twitter.com/WBxchT06VZ
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (@PetroleumMin) July 19, 2019
Further speaking on PM Modi's Ujjwala scheme, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said, "It's not just an energy achievement but also social and economic achievement."
Birol also said that India last year achieved the goal of providing electricity connection to all villages in the country and would soon give access of the same to every household. "This is a huge achievement."
The Indian government, he said, had set a target of generating 175 GW of electricity from renewable sources such as solar energy by 2022, but going by the current pace, the target would have to be revised upward.
Also, the increased focus on using bio-energy is very important, he said adding these steps together with increased domestic production of oil and gas would help the country cut its import dependence.
India is more than 83 percent dependent on imports for meeting its energy needs and is also the world's third-biggest energy consumer, is moving to the central stage of global energy, he said. (Photo: Dharmendra Pradhan Twitter)
2. Discussed current trends in global oil and gas markets: Dharmendra Pradhan
)
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after his meeting with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol on Friday took to Twitter and said, "Always a pleasure to meet Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency."
"We discussed the current trends in global oil and gas markets and explored opportunities for partnership in addressing issues of energy security, energy access, energy efficiency and emergency preparedness," Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. (Photo: Dharmendra Pradhan Twitter)
3. Fatih Birol hails India's role in global energy market
)
Meanwhile, speaking about India's role in the global energy market, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol praised India for lending a voice to the consumers.
He also praised Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said, "When oil prices go up, sky-rocket, it becomes dangerous for the economic growth of many countries," he said adding whenever prices rise, he dials Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for dialogue to ensure market stability. (Photo: Dharmendra Pradhan Twitter)
