The State Government is thinking of floating its own gas corporation, on the lines of the Gujarat State Gas Corporation and others.
Finance Minister K. Rosaiah announced here on Sunday that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has been discussing the issue with senior officials and oil and gas industry experts during the last few days.
“We are seriously thinking about it”, he said in reply to a question at a press conference here. Rajahmundry MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar, MLA Rowthu Suryaprakasha Rao and MLC K. Durgesh attended the press meet.
Mr. Rosaiah said the TDP regime had removed the clause in the power purchase agreements that the Government could own a gas corporation and bid for findings in the KG Basin Gas or any other areas.
“Reliance or any other company would have given at least one offshore well had we floated the gas corporation then”, the minister observed.
Asked about the delay in announcing the drought-hit areas and the contingency plan, he said it was a matter of few minutes. But once the Government listed the drought-hit mandals, the banks would not give loans to farmers.
“Everything is ready. We have prepared the contingency plan also. The Government has decided to provide drinking water through transport in 5,894 places and the Collectors have been authorised to take necessary steps. We are going to give seeds on cent percent subsidy. Officially the Chief Minister has to make a statement. That is all”, Mr. Rosaiah explained.
The minister said during his Delhi tour Dr. Reddy would hold discussion on amendments to the Essential Commodities Maintenance Act and constituting a separate body to control prices. He hoped the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal would bring more rains in State as it was already raining in several parts.
