Ashok Gehlot questions five-year delay in Barmer refinery project ahead of PM Modi’s Rajasthan visit

Jaipur, June 26 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday questioned the delay in the completion of the Barmer Refinery project ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to inaugurate the facility.

Gehlot alleged that work on the project was stalled for five years during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan, leading to a sharp escalation in its cost.

Responding to questions from reporters, the former Chief Minister said the refinery is a landmark project for Rajasthan’s development and deserved a grand public inauguration.

“I read in the newspapers today that the Prime Minister will hold a meeting inside the refinery complex instead of addressing a large public gathering. This project is a major milestone for Rajasthan, and it deserves a proper public inauguration,” he added.

Recalling the project’s origins, Gehlot said the refinery became possible after sustained efforts by the then Congress government following the discovery of oil in Barmer.

He added that former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi facilitated the formation of the refinery company through coordination between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan government.

Targeting the BJP over the project’s delay, Gehlot asked why work on the refinery had allegedly remained stalled for five years during the previous BJP government.

“My question remains the same: why was work on the refinery halted for five years during the BJP’s previous tenure? The Prime Minister and the NDA government should answer this. The refinery’s estimated cost rose from around Rs 37,000 crore to more than Rs 80,000 crore because of the delay. The people of Rajasthan deserve to know who is responsible for this cost escalation and the financial loss caused by postponing the project,” he said.

Speaking on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi completing two years as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gehlot described the tenure as “historic” and said Rahul Gandhi had emerged as a powerful voice on issues concerning farmers, labourers, youth and the poor.

He said that Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised questions over the Centre’s policies both inside and outside the Parliament and had effectively discharged the responsibility of the Opposition.

Gehlot also credited Rahul Gandhi with leading a nationwide movement on the NEET examination issue.

Responding to allegations made by BJP leader and Rajasthan Minister Kirodi Lal Meena against State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, Gehlot dismissed them as “baseless” and “politically motivated”.

He said allegations must be backed by facts and evidence, adding that making accusations without substantiation was unacceptable.

Gehlot alleged that Dotasra was being deliberately targeted as part of a political conspiracy to tarnish the image of the Congress in Rajasthan.

Criticising the current Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government, Gehlot claimed the state was witnessing widespread public dissatisfaction due to administrative failures, stalled development works and rising corruption.

He alleged that several newly constructed hospital buildings were lying underutilised because of a shortage of doctors and medical equipment, and described the present administrative situation in Rajasthan as unprecedented.

On speculation surrounding his meeting at 10 Janpath in New Delhi, Gehlot clarified that the visit was purely for a routine meeting of the Rajiv Gandhi National Relief and Welfare Society.

He said the meeting was institutional in nature and had no connection with organisational matters of the Rajasthan Congress or any political developments.

–IANS

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