By IANS
New Delhi : Following is the text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at an event here to lay the foundation stone for a new building in the memory of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 63rd birth anniversary.
“Respected chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Smt. Sonia Gandhiji, my colleagues Shri Murli Deora, Shri Dinsha Patel, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Shri Tejinder Khanna, Chief Minister of Delhi Smt Shiela Dikshit.
This is a proud and solemn moment for all of us. I am extremely happy to be here to lay the foundation stone of the Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhavan. In doing so, I join all of you in honouring the memory of a great son of India. We pay tribute to Rajivji’s commitment to India’s energy security by observing this day as ‘Akshay Urja Divas.’
I am very happy that Soniaji is presiding over today’s function. Her deep and abiding commitment to the ideas and ideals we associate with Rajivji is a source of tremendous inspiration for our people.
Shri Rajiv Gandhi was a visionary. He thought about the future of the nation and was passionately committed to the development of a modern India. As a visionary, dreamer, idealist and an energetic leader, he wanted to harness modern science and technology for the development of our country and the welfare of our people.
Rajivji’s dreams in the fields of telecommunication and information technology have already been realized. In laying the foundation stone for this building we recognize his deep and abiding commitment to India’s energy security. India’s sustained economic development is vitally dependent on its energy security and on the promotion of sustainable and environment friendly energy technologies.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today, when we aim for a 10 percent growth rate, we must recognize the critical importance of energy security. By energy security, we refer not merely to the assurance of the supply of energy. Real energy security implies assured supply of good quality energy at a reasonable price.
India’s energy needs, which will grow with the pace of economic development, cannot be met with oil and gas for long. Currently, the total domestic production by Indian companies is less than 1/3rd of current domestic consumption. As we know, oil and gas reserves in India are quite limited. As we grow, our growing import bill for imported crude oil will put unbearable burden on our economy.
These facts compel us to think of a new strategy to deal with the rising energy demand. We need a new paradigm of energy security to address our developmental needs. This paradigm would have to focus on several issues: a less-energy intensive path of development, increasing use of non-conventional and renewable energy sources, also aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and improving efficiency in production and consumption.
Such a strategy would have to be based on coordinated development and judicious use of domestic and global resources. This will require exploring new technological options, new financing means, identifying new sources and building new bridges with new partners.
We need to develop all our energy resources, viz, coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear along with renewable, such as wind and solar. Moreover, there are many options of using alternative fuels and technologies. 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.
As for solar energy, we are blessed with an abundance of this source and it could be a major energy source in coming years. We must invest more in R&D for commercial use of solar energy. We also need to examine the potential of hydrogen as a fuel of the future. Hydroelectric resources too should be optimally utilised to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Several non-conventional energy sources fall in the domain of high technology, and are presently commercially non-viable. The immediate need is to develop these technologies to make such energy available to the masses in the shortest time.
Our National Common Minimum Programme has made a commitment to develop our renewable energy potential. Our Government has launched the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Yojana to provide electricity to all households by 2009.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am happy to know that Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhawan will undertake holistic research in all forms of clean and renewable energy sources to make Rajivji’s dream come true. The technologies that will emerge from here will have to be commercially viable.
Energy is a scarce resource. We must learn to properly price this resource. Energy supply should be economically viable and environmentally friendly. I am happy to learn that your R&D centre will focus on commercial viability of alternative technologies and energy sources.
It is extremely important that our people are made aware of the economics of energy. In our country we have excessively interfered with energy pricing. Each time our utilities have to raise rates and our oil companies have to raise prices, extraneous considerations come in.
I urge all political parties to appreciate the vital national interest of pursuing a sound energy security strategy. India is on the move and we must be able to address its growing energy demand. No Government can afford to shirk this responsibility and hope to find favour with the people. That would not have been Rajivji’s approach to such matters of vital national importance.
I congratulate the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, ONGC and Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhawan for beginning this great venture, aimed at addressing the challenges facing our Energy Security. I assure you of our government’s support for all your worthy endeavours.”