Battling allegations levelled by CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta that gas price revision suggested by Rangarajan panel would give undue advantage to Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries ltd (RIl), Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily on Friday created a flutter by claiming that petroleum Ministers are “threatened” by import lobbies not to take decisions that will reduce India’s oil imports burden. He also alleged that “import lobby” are obstructing “decision making” and oil exploration process in the country.
The Minister’s sensational claim found few takers as Dasgupta renewed his charges and Congress distanced itself from Moily’s statement. While Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad asked Moily to explain what he has said, Dasgupta trashed Moily’s claim and called him a “liar.” Experts also pointed out that since PSUs imported most of the oil in India, it was difficult to imagine presence of such powerful oil import lobby.
Moily told a packed Press conference that though the country was flush with reserves of oil and gas especially in the north-eastern part of the country, import lobbies were creating obstructions and restrictions in exploration activities. Claiming that pressure was exerted through bureaucratic circles as well, he said because of these reasons India has to rely on imports and expose itself to the vagaries of fluctuating international prices.
“Moily, however, will not be threatened by them (the lobbies and bureaucratic pressures)… I am not playing for any lobby, but only for national lobby. Any timid minister will not go forward... I have come here to strive hard for the sake of the country, to work for the country. Due to imports lots of earnings are going out of the country. We have to achieve energy independence and by 2030 we aim to achieve complete independence from import of oil and gas,” he said.
On being asked to elaborate what kind of restrictions the import lobby is creating in exploration, Moily parried the question and said that “history will speak of the lobby”.
Regarding allegations levelled by Dasgupta, the minister said he had invited the CPI MP for a discussion on all the aspects which he had raised. “I agree with some of the observations which he has raised and I am ready to discuss the issues with him.
However levelling personal allegations is not correct.” On the gas pricing issue, he said the Cabinet note had been re-circulated as there were certain clarifications sought by the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission. He informed that comments from the Finance Ministry have been received and Planning Commission's views may come any time now. “Once this is done, then the issue would be sent for Cabinet's clearance,” he said.
Rejecting Moily's claim, Dasgupta said the Petroleum Minister was telling lies to divert charges of favouring Mukesh Ambani by attempting to hike the price of natural gas. He said if Moily had any threat, he should alert the CBI to probe.
“Moily is liar. He is talking lies and nonsense. If he had any threat, let him alert CBI and allow it to probe. let his e-mails and phone calls be checked. Moily will be caught for interacting with Reliance. Moily is trying to provide maximum price for Mukesh Ambani. I reiterate Moily is a liar,” Dasgupta said.
Dasgupta's party colleague D Raja said Moily should speak out the truth. “Which is that lobby, which is that company threatening the petroleum ministry and himIJ” he asked.
Former Petroleum Minister and senior BJP leader Ram Naik said Moily should have named the lobbies which are trying to pressurise him or even his predecessors, Jaipal Reddy, Murli Deora or Mani Shankar Aiyar. “I had been the only Petroleum Minister right from 1963 who has worked for 5 years at a stretch. There was no such pressure on me. Pressures are brought on those who succumb to pressure,” he said.
Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad told the media that “he (Moily) will explain what he has said. This is for the concerned minister to explain not for the party to say anything. Only Moily can say what is the issue and its context. What action he has taken to isolate such lobbies.”
Ahmad also rejected suggestions that pressure by any lobby was behind the exit of S Jaipal Reddy from Petroleum Ministry, which had raked up a political controversy.
“Who told you that Reddy was removed on certain charges of pressureIJ This is the prerogative of the Prime Minister that who will look after what ministry. Who told you that he was removed on these reasons. This is not true,” the Congress spokesperson said.
Meanwhile sources in the petroleum industry said that Moily's perception on the “existence of import lobby was wrong”. They pointed out that majority of oil imports are done by PSUs and companies like GAIl and Petronet lNG.
“Where is the import lobby in IndiaIJ Almost all the imports of oil and gas are through PSUs. We haven't heard of an importers lobby and it would be better if the minister reveals who threatened him,” they said.