The Hindu : Front Page : ``Priority for fuel to the poor''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

``Priority for fuel to the poor''

Special Correspondent

It is too premature to discuss pipeline project: Murli Deora

— Photo: V. Sudershan

HOT SEAT: Newly appointed Petroleum Minister Murli Deora being welcomed by his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar at his office in New Delhi on Monday.

New Delhi: As world oil prices climbed to over $ 68 a barrel, the new Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora said making subsidised cooking fuels available to the poor and restoring the health of the public sector oil companies would be his immediate priorities.

Assuming office on Monday, the veteran Mumbai-based politician said all measures needed to ensure energy security would be taken, including exploration for oil and gas and securing oilfields abroad.

Arriving at his Shastri Bhawan office with his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar, he sought reports from Ministry officials on the financial health of the public sector oil companies, subsidies, the possibility of duty restructuring on oil products and the impact on the PSUs of the decisions to make them sell petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene below the existing cost of production.

Asked about the fate of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, he said it was too premature to discuss such issues. At the same time, in the light of the coming vote on Iran's nuclear programme at the IAEA, he said the outcome would have a direct bearing on the Petroleum Ministry and efforts to achieve energy security.

Talking to newspersons shortly after taking over, he said his priority would be to make fuel available to the poor and vulnerable sections of society at affordable prices. He sought to look after the interests of the public sector oil companies.

On continuity of policies, he indicated that there might be some changes. These would be discussed before the changes were made.

On the opposition of the Left to policies concerning the petroleum sector, especially pricing, Mr. Deora said he would take along the UPA allies while evolving policies. As for subsidies, he was in favour of them but not at the cost of the financial health of the navaratna oil companies. These firms should be given some support as they had been reeling under the burden of subsidies.

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