New Delhi, March 16 Shiv Sena member Milind Deora urged the government on Monday to increase offshore gas exploration and invest in bio-CNG projects to reduce import dependence.
Participating in the debate over the Appropriation bill in the Upper House, Deora said the government should also invest more in bio-CNG and waste-to-gas projects to reduce dependence on imports.
"India's agricultural and municipal waste has the potential to produce 60 million tonnes of biogas annually, which can completely reduce our dependence on imported CNG and LNG," he said.
Deora said the country's strategic oil and gas reserves are for a few weeks and suggested that the government expand them to many more months so that the country can deal with shocks, such as the Iran War.
He added that now, the balance of power in the world, which for the last 80 years after World War II remained tilted towards the West, is now moving to Asia, and India can be its biggest beneficiary.
Congratulating the government, Deora said, "Whenever we are negotiating any treaty, we are doing it from a position of strength."
AAP member Swati Maliwal demanded that emergency medical services be made legal.
She also suggested that the government increase the number of free and well-equipped ambulances in the country, so that services can reach poor and remote areas at the right time.
In this budget, there is a provision of Rs 1.33 lakh crore for the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Besides, Rs 10,721 crore has also been sought in the supplementary demands.
"Funds are being allocated to states, but the sad truth is that even today, our country lacks basic emergency services and ambulances," she said, adding that there are 28,830 ambulances in the country, and of these, 90 per cent do not have proper equipment, oxygen, or trained staff.
In the entire country, there are only 3,044 advanced life support ambulances. Moreover, there is also a problem of overcharging, as there are no fixed rates for ambulances in the country.
Sikander Kumar of the BJP said the Budget shows fiscal discipline and economic stability of the country. This year, there is a provision of capital expenditure of 12.2 crore, which is higher than the previous year's Rs 11 lakh crore.
This increased expenditure will help in the creation of infrastructure for transportation, health and other services and generate employment for the young people.
Sanjay Seth of the BJP also participated in the discussion.