Students’ role sought for fuel conservation

All exercises on fuel conservation would be unproductive; unless and until students and youths sensitized in a big way on clean fuels and fuel conservation, secretary food and civil supply, T. Kiheto Sema said here Saturday.
Kiheto said this while launching the Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight 2016 organized by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur.
He also stressed on motivation of students and youths on fuel conservation, so that government’s commitment in promoting cleaner fuels and greener environment could be achieved.
“We should not observe this day just for the name’s sake”, said Kiheto and added that policy of the government in conserving fuel should be reached to the people in reality. He also urged the stakeholders in oil companies to include all the districts of Nagaland in the scheduled 15-day long activities. While appreciating on the large turnout of stakeholders as compared to previous year, Kiheto appealed to them (stakeholders) in identifying some rural areas instead of focusing more on urban areas.
The secretary also expressed surprise at the increasing number of vehicles in Nagaland and said each and every family owned three to four vehicles which increase carbon emissions in the state even as it was lower that other states of the country.  
On the occasion, a pledge to conserve fuel was read out by all the stakeholders and students present.
Sr. Divisional Manager (IOC)-cum-State Level Coordinator of Nagaland, D. K. Pathak highlighted some of the activities that would be taken up during the fortnight observation. He said it has identified three schools- Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung, where quiz, essay, painting and debate competitions on Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight.
Apart from this, cycle rally under the banner, “burn fat not fuel” would be conducted, workshops and seminars would also conducted at various places, said Pathak.
“We would also focus on creating awareness on minimum usage of LPG gas, to women folks”, he added. He further, said orientation programme for private vehicles on how to save petrol and diesel would also be covered during the fortnight observation. 
Earlier, the inaugural function was chaired by Sr. depot manager of Dimapur Depot, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Huwuto Sema.