Monday, 05 August, 2013: With the aim of improving India’s energy security, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Friday, urged Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) to take steps that are in the interest of the country. “Take the lead in generating solar energy and develop requisite technology in India,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh advised Maharatna BHEL, The Hindu reported.
He said that the success of the solar mission has the potential to enhance the country’s energy security and significantly contribute towards the country’s efforts to combat climate change. The PM is hopeful that BHEL, which exercises engineering expertise, manufacturing prowess and a laudable human resource is best suited for taking a lead in solar energy generation.
“We need to develop ways and means to reduce our carbon foot print through technological innovation,” said Dr. Manmohan Singh. He opines that the consequences of climate change would adversely impact India as more than 50 per cent of power comes from coal-based generation. This was stated by him after he dedicated to the nation BHEL’s Power Plant Piping Unit (PPPU) at Tirumayam in Pudukkottai district and Unit II of High Pressure Boiler Plant in the Tiruchi Complex.
Moreover, he also praised BHEL for developing ultra super critical technology in line with the country’s mission to invent clean coal technologies, while formally commissioning the PPPU. The trial production for PPPU was started early last year. The function was attended by Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Praful Patel and Narayanaswamy, and Governor K. Rosaiah and State Transport Minister Senthil Balaji.
Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko, his party functionaries and members of various organisations were arrested in Tiruchi on Friday for staging a black flag demonstration. They condemned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress-led UPA government for “betraying Eelam Tamils.” They were finally released in the evening.
