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Assam stands to gain from oilfield auction: BJP

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 6 - Reacting to opposition coming from various political parties, including its ally the AGP, on the issue of auctioning of oilfields in the State, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh on Wednesday asserted that such a step will not be detrimental to the interest of Assam.

State BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said while addressing a press meet here that such a step is very important now to keep the refineries here functional. �This step needs to be taken in the interest of Assam. We want to assure the people of the State that Assam stands to gain from the auction,� said Goswami.

It needs to be mentioned here that various organisations in the State have registered their ire against the decision of the Centre to put on auction 12 small oilfields of the State. The AGP, an ally in the government, has strongly voiced its opposition to this decision stating that this decision goes against the aspirations of the people of Assam.

�Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who is a former Chief Minister, never reacted when the Central government headed by Deva Gowda had in 1997 adopted the National Exploration and Licensing Policy. It is really surprising that he is reacting now,� said Goswami, calling upon all parties and organisations to cooperate with the Government as the auction is in the interest of the State.

Goswami further said that against the requirement of 7 million metric tonnes crude oil, Assam�s production is only 3 to 4.6 million metric tonnes. �The refineries in Assam have been sustained by supply from Godavari,� said Goswami appealing once more to the people to act rationally instead of getting swayed by emotions.

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