Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, has launched the BioUrja and BioGas portals during an event at the National Bio Energy Programme at New Delhi. In his address, Hon’ble Minister stated the importance of Bioenergy for providing clean cooking through biogas, co-firing in thermal power plants by utilizing biomass pellets and briquettes and BioCNG for transport. He emphasized that the benefits of utilization of surplus biomass should reach the rural household by way of an additional source of income for farmers. BioUrja portal has been developed as a single window platform to register and submit online applications for grants of Central Financial Assistance to Waste to Energy projects, Biomass Briquette / Pellet manufacturing plants and Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration projects. BioGas portal facilitates beneficiaries with online proposals and approval for setting up of Biogas plants under the National Bioenergy Programme. Beneficiaries can check their eligibility for small / medium biogas plants installation and track the current status of inspection. During his keynote speech, Hon’ble Minister reiterated the need for Bio-energy promotion not only because of its energy potential but also the large socio-economic benefits associated with it.