The agriculture ministry is preparing an action plan to launch pilot projects in different areas of the country to promote the use of oilseeds-based bio-diesel as an alternative fuel.
Plants like Jatropha and Karanja have been identified for large-scale extraction of bio-diesel.
This was indicated by Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh in a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his ministry. The committee discussed the prospects of oilseeds, oil-bearing trees and bio-fuels.
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Responding to the discussion on bio-fuels, Singh said his ministry would work out technical details, cost of production and the required commercial linkages for large-scale use of bio-diesel.
A meeting of the central and state government departments concerned will be convened to ensure an early launching of the projects.
The minister expressed concern over the growing edible oil imports that had risen from 0.52 million tonnes in 1990-91 to 4.21 million tonnes in 2001-02.
India accounted for 15 per cent of the world