Focus on Reducing Carbon Emissions for Environmental Conservation – IT Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar

Mumbai : To ensure the success of the ‘SAKSHAM 2024-25’ Green and Clean Energy for a Clean Environment initiative, emphasis should be placed on public transport usage and adopting environmentally friendly systems that produce low carbon emissions, urged Information and Technology Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar.

The event was organized at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan by state-level coordinators of Maharashtra’s petroleum and natural gas industry. Prominent attendees included B. Achyut Kumar, General Manager (Western Region) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation; Ashish Rai, Director (Maharashtra & Goa) of BPCL; Abhijit S. Gite, General Manager of Indian Oil; Anurag Bhargav, Deputy General Manager of GAIL India; and Umesh Kulkarni, State Oil Coordinator for Indian Oil.

Reduce Carbon Emissions for a Healthier Environment

Minister Ashish Shelar highlighted that India imports crude oil, making transportation more expensive due to rising costs. He emphasized the use of gas-powered vehicles such as autorickshaws and taxis, which help reduce carbon emissions and maintain a balanced oxygen level in the environment, ensuring better public health. Calling SAKSHAM a program dedicated to empowering both families and the nation through environmental conservation, he urged everyone to prioritize carbon emission reduction.

Recognition for Fuel Conservation Initiatives

During the event, Minister Shelar felicitated school and college students, teachers, and winners of group discussions and debate competitions organized to promote fuel and oil conservation awareness.

SAKSHAM 2024-25: A Nationwide Initiative

The SAKSHAM (Sanrakshan Kshamata Mahotsav) 2024-25 campaign was conducted nationwide from February 14 to 28, 2025, under the theme: “Adopt Green and Clean Energy for a Cleaner Environment.” The initiative reached out to OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies), schoolchildren, youth, LPG users, drivers, fleet operators, industrial workers, farmers, residential societies, gram panchayats, and NGOs to promote fuel conservation awareness and encourage fuel-efficient technologies and practices.

Various activities were conducted across Maharashtra, including group discussions, debates, graffiti and wall painting competitions in colleges, fuel-efficient driving contests, newspaper articles, press conferences, TV/radio talk shows, walkathons, cyclothons, and awareness campaigns on LPG safety and efficiency. Special workshops and programs were held for farmers, corporate offices, institutions, and NGOs, along with CNG rallies. It was announced that over 500 fuel conservation initiatives were organized across Maharashtra as part of the campaign.