Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), May 20 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre wants rapid development of Bundelkhand region.
Dr. Singh, who dedicated the world-class Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand area to the nation, said that continuous drought like situation in the region is a point of concern.
The Prime Minister said the Centre has announced a Bundelkhand package of more than 7000 crores in 2009 for the development of the region.
"Madhya Pradesh would get 3760 crore rupees from it. The State and Central governments should work together for the development of the region," said Dr. Singh.
Dr. Singh, who formally declared the refinery in Bina open today, said: "I am happy that our refining capacity, which was 620 lakh tonnes in 1998, has now become 1,870 lakh tonnes. By 2012, we are working toward enhancing this capacity to 2,380 lakh tones."
Bharat-Oman Refinery, which is situated in Sagar district of Bundelkhand region, is a company promoted by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) with equity participation from Oman Oil Company Limited (OOCL). The refining capacity of this company is six million metric ton per annum.
"This project is an example of cooperation in many areas between Oman and India. I hope it will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries," he said.
The Prime Minister further said: "I am happy that our refineries have achieved the capacity not only to produce environment-friendly auto fuels, but also supplying BS-IV and BS-III standard auto fuels."
"The country needs to adopt new technologies in search of hydrocarbons. Deep sea exploration, shale gas and tar sands are the new areas for oil exploration and in many parts of the world, search in this regard is going on. We also need to explore these new areas," he added.
The refinery has been set up with an estimated cost of Rs. 12,000 crore.
Commerce and Industries Department had inked an MoU with Bharat-Oman Refineries Limited on behalf of the West Bengal Government on May 6, 2005.
Former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao laid the foundation stone of the refinery on December 16, 1995. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
