Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday gave a proposal to the State Government to solve the IOCl tax dispute with the State Government through negotiations as advised by the Orissa High Court.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the BS-IV grade fuel here, Pradhan said during the signing of the MoU in 2004, between the State and the Union Government, the Modi Government was not a signatory.
However, if the question about Odisha’s interest arises, Pradhan said his department is ready to hold discussions with an open mind. Despite the burden to the IOCl, the Modi Government is ready for negotiations for the future of Odisha’s interest and the youths, he maintained.
He added leaving the political disputes on their way, people’s welfare is a priority for the Modi Government. “It is natural that due to some reasons, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is angry with me. But for the anger, scores should not be settled against the IOCl and the job aspiring youths,” said Pradhan.
The Odisha Government scrapped the MoU with the IOCl for tax waiver which it has signed earlier in the State Cabinet and announced about it in the Assembly recently. But one should not forget that after the Modi Government took over, the IOCl project was expedited which had been delayed for long due to floods and law and order situation. Criticising the State Government for its policy, he refereed to another project which is yet to take off. “Funds were collected from the international market for the Rengali left and Right Canal. But water is not flowing to it. This is increasing the per capita loan of the people of the State. Who is responsible for the delay of the project,” he questioned.
The IOCl project’s capacity was increased from 9 million tonne to 15 milion tonne. The capacity expansion was done in the knowledge of the State Government.
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Pradhan wants talks with State to resolve IOCl tax row
The IOCl documents prove this, said Pradhan. He further stated that increase in investment in case of the IOCl is a welcome move. But the State Government has questioned why the IOCl’s capacity was increased, Pradhan rued. “The Orissa High Court has said the investment climate in the State should not be affected. Nobody should do this. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation policy is of the State Government. Income policy belongs to the State Government. So, the State Government should make it clear what it expects from the IOCl,” said Pradhan. On Utkal Divas, Pradhan vowed to protect Odisha’s interest vis-à-vis the IOCl.
Meanwhile, Paradip MlA and Minister Damodar Rout in his reaction to the issue said to mediapersons that if Dharmendra Pradhan takes any further steps, he would close down the IOCl.
Reacting to Minister Rout’s statement, the State BJP said the BJD is not only trying to derail Dharmendra Pradhan’s efforts for Odisha’s development but it displays the party’s mentality towards the hopes and aspiration of the youths of the State.
“Has Damababu ever thought about the income and employment of youths in Paradip in particular and the State in generalIJ He is a person who is satisfied with contracts to his family and relatives. The BJP and the Modi Government need not owe an answer to Damababu’s threat. The State’s youths would give a befitting reply to him,” said BJP State general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra.