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Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Most of the energy requirements of our country are being fulfilled by thermal projects. To encourage the state government to make a ‘smart’ switch to renewable
resources for electricity consumption in Bhubaneswar, a seminar was held by Oxfam organisation and Institute of Public Finance and Policies (IPFP) in Bhubaneswar Friday.
The seminar was attended by retired IAS officials, engineers and general public.
Akshay Biswal, an official with Oxfam, said the production of energy in the state lags behind its requirement that was
increasing rapidly.
“Orissa’s population has increased and the usage of electrical appliances has also simultaneously increased. However, the state has not been able to
provide sufficient electricity to meet with its requirement,” he said.
He suggested that usage of solar energy would compensate for the loss and was an environment friendly alternative.
Chairman of IPFP Panchanan Kanungo said, “Through the seminar, we are trying to convince the state government for making policy and investment plan to support green energy projects.”
Oxfam India and IPFP with this seminar were trying to convince the state government and Bhubaneswar civic authority to go for structural changes and to make rules for enforcing it on every institution, Kanungo said.
A cyclothon starting from Master Canteen and concluding near Patia October 23 would also be organised.
Retired IAS officer Prasanna Kumar Mishra, who was the chief speaker on the occasion, voiced his concern over the scarcity of electricity availability in rural Orissa.
“In many villages, people sleep early because after the sunset the whole place is covered with darkness,” he said.
Kanungo said the organisations would request the state government and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to promote ‘green energy’ and provide financial support for it.
MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and Mayor Ananta Jena supported the movement and assured the organisers of their support.
