Chandigarh, Jun 29 (IANS): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday digitally laid the foundation stone of Indian Oil Corporation's second research and development (R&D) centre in Faridabad.

The new centre, spread over 60 acres, would be constructed with an outlay of Rs 2,282 crore.

In his inaugural address, Khattar expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister for selecting Haryana for setting up the R&D centre.

He said the state has become a preferred investment destination for the entrepreneurs since setting up a new industry had become easier. The state has made tremendous progress in the ranking of ease-of-doing business in the country.

"We have played a pro-active role in making Haryana a kerosene-free state. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, every household in the state is being provided an LPG connection."

The Chief Minister also highlighted the efforts made by the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Pradhan said that the IOC's second state-of-the-art R&D centre would certainly emerge as a laboratory for an alternative, clean, and indigenous energy solutions. A R&D centre already is functioning in the Haryana city.

He said the setting up of the centre is a big step towards realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in making India self-reliant in all the sectors, especially the energy sector.