Bangalore: The new CM, DVS Gowda, informed on Wednesday that his government encouraged use of Ethanol, and its increased production as an alternate energy source, and was ready to provide subsidy to have more Ethanol in order to reduce visual air pollution and environmental violation, at a time when other energy-giving materials like Petrol and Diesel were showing a tendency to jack up their sale rates in open markets.

The state Government was already conducting experiments in Ethanol use in transport buses, as a pioneer in the country, and Contemplates giving subsidy in future, to raise its production as an alternate source of energy in the entire state.

Gowda was inaugurating the Foundation Day proceedings of Karnataka state Pollution Control Board in Bangalore on September 22. He distributed awards to the industry and city council that played prominent roles in protecting natural environment in the city region. He sought people’s co-operation in banning thin plastic bags from public use, and pointed to an industrialisation process that did not pollute atmosphere in its anxiety to develop, making such a growth dangerous to all citizens.

He reminded listeners that the Supreme Court had pointed out the problem relating to ecology, and its harm done by excessive mining, due to industrial greed in the state. However, the CM said the government was committed to prevent the massive destruction of forests and green atmosphere done by miners in some districts.

Speaking after him, Home and Transport minister R. Ashok referred to Nature as the wealth we had to pass on to the successive generations, but miners think otherwise and try to possess mines everywhere as belonging to them. He said even alternate source of energy, though needed were not easy to get. 1500 buses are run on the roads at present by mixing Ethanol to Diesel, but a permission for its free use is not given, he complained.

Ethanol can be produced from sugarcane molasses in Mills, Ashok added, thereby helping sugarcane farmers Ashok was confident about running transport buses on ethanol, as in Delhi state roadways, citing a small cell that runs mobile phones.

D.B. Chandregowda, MP, and a guest on the occasion, asked the state to remove cement pollution in Chikkaballpur created by a factory there. Forest minister C. P. Yogeshwar suggested to large factories that they could plant sandalwood trees in their social forestry areas.

Environment minister Krishna Palemar presided. Pollution control Board chairman A. S. Sadashivaiah pointed to 40% technical personnel scarcity in his corporation and sought state help to confirm those working on contract basis at present.