The Hindu : Front Page : Gas pricing: YSR may meet Pranab

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Saturday, Aug 11, 2007
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Gas pricing: YSR may meet Pranab

Special Correspondent

‘Natural gas has the potential to transform the economy of the country’

Pranab Mukherjee

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has sought an audience with Pranab Mukherjee, Chairman of Empowered Group of Ministers, to present the views of the State on the pricing policy of natural gas.

Complimenting Mr. Mukherjee for being chosen to head the GoM, he said in a letter to the External Affairs Minister on Friday that the State’s view point was essential in view of the exploration of natural gas from Krishna-Godavari basin.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the issue was of critical importance to the State as the gas-based power plants with 2000 MW capacity which the Government had permitted were at present non-functional due to non-availability of gas. Natural gas, he said, had the potential to transform the economy of the country in general and that of Andhra Pradesh in particular.

Review meeting

Hence, a reasonable, just and comprehensive policy on pricing of natural gas was essential. In fact, the point was raised at the recent high-level review of State-specific projects by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Hyderabad.

The Centre had constituted the Empowered Group of Ministers to look into the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries on the gas price issue at the insistence of State Government.

Dr. Reddy reminded Mr. Mukherjee that he was only championing a rational, justifiable and affordable pricing formula that would help the country.

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