Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has become the world’s fourth-largest refinery capacity holder. He said timely decisions, strategic planning and effective diplomacy helped the country overcome the 21st century’s worst global energy crisis.
PM Modi made the remarks while dedicating the Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra in Balotra district to the nation and unveiling development projects worth over Rs 1.06 lakh crore.
Addressing a public gathering, PM Modi said the West Asia conflicts disrupted fuel supplies and drove crude oil prices to nearly 120 dollars per barrel. He said India ensured uninterrupted supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG through swift policy decisions and duty reductions.
PM Modi added that refinery reconfiguration and diversified imports from more than 40 countries strengthened the country’s energy security. He added that domestic LPG prices remained below Rs 900, while Ujjwala beneficiaries continued receiving cylinders for under Rs 650.
The Prime Minister said the government strengthened fertiliser production and subsidised urea to support farmers. He also expanded PNG networks and extended guaranteed credit support to MSMEs under the ECLGS.
PM Modi claimed the refinery project, launched through a 2017 MoU, lost momentum during the Congress government between 2018 and 2023.
The Prime Minister said the project gathered pace after the BJP’s ‘double-engine government’ came to power. He said BJP governments complete projects instead of merely announcing them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted Rajasthan’s water initiatives, the expansion of the Jaipur Metro and the inauguration of the Jodhpur airport terminal. He also showcased the UDAN scheme, solar energy projects, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM and the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
PM Modi acknowledged Vasundhara Raje’s contribution to the refinery and the Narmada water agreement.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot rejected the Prime Minister’s allegations, accusing him of politicising a government event.
Gehlot claimed Congress completed 85% of refinery work despite the pandemic. He also noted that the present BJP government had earlier projected August 2025 as the completion deadline.
Pachpadra refinery sparked a fresh political credit battle between BJP and Congress.
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