Chandigarh, Apr 13 (PTI) The Punjab government today approved a Rs 71.68 crore bio-CNG project which will utilise about one lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Project Allotment Committee held under the chairmanship of Anirudh Tewari, Principal Secretary, New and Renewable Energy Sources (NRES), an official release said.

Tiwari said the project, being facilitated by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), is to be set up by Verbio India Private Limited (100 per cent subsidiary of Verbio Vereinigte Bioenergie AG, Germany) under NRSE Policy-2012 at village Bhutal Kalan of Lehragaga tehsil, district Sangrur, with 100 per cent foreign direct investment.

He said the project will utilise about one lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually and produce 33.23 tonnes of bio-CNG per day. In addition, it will produce about 1.44 lakh tonnes of bio-manure annually.

Tiwari said the project will generate direct employment for about 60 technical and non-technical persons and indirect employment for about 2,000 people.

The raw material requirement for the project will create a local supply chain, which will generate employment resources in rural areas and stop the negative effects of burning the paddy straw.

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