October 3, 2026: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday launched GOBARdhan, a Rs 237.31 billion Central government scheme for the Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector. The scheme aims to raise India's CBG production nearly 10-fold, to around 5 million standard cubic metres a day (MMSCMD). The Union Cabinet approved it on August 6. It sets out a 10-year framework running from 2026-27 to 2035-36. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the long-term framework is meant to give investors and lenders greater certainty.

Puri said India's growing energy needs must be met through the combined goals of availability, affordability and sustainability. He said that also means developing more of the energy resources available within the country. CBG matters for India in particular, he said, because it can turn crop residue, cattle dung and other organic material into clean domestic energy. The process also produces organic manure and creates new economic opportunities in rural areas.

According to Puri, farmers, cooperatives, gaushalas (cow shelters) and local enterprises can take part at every stage of the chain, from collecting and aggregating feedstock to transporting and processing it. That, he said, strengthens the circular link between agriculture and energy. He called on industry, financial institutions, states, cooperatives and technology providers to turn the framework into operating plants and sustained CBG production. He linked that goal to energy security, rural prosperity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Waste to Wealth" and "Annadata to Urjadata".

(Source: PSU watch)