Refinery to come up in Barmer: Vasundhara Raje

Barmer: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Saturday said the proposed oil refinery would be established in the district and the work will begin soon.

Addressing a public rally here, she said there was a delay in its establishment as per the terms signed by the previous Congress government, despite having a right on land, oil and money, the state had a mere 26 per cent share in the project, which was too little and not right.

Apart from it, the state had to build roads and develop other infrastructure for the project, on which would have caused loss to the state, so the terms and conditions were being re-considered to increase the State's share.

Attacking the previous government, she said, despite getting good amount as royalty from crude oil, but that government failed to bring development.

In 2012-13, the state's earning from royalty was Rs 5069.88 crore, in 2013-14 it was Rs 5953.11 crore but slumped to 4849 crore in 2014-15, the Chief Minister said, adding in 2015-16, in first five months of the fiscal, the amount was just Rs 1333.88 crore.

Also a feasibility report was being prepared by the Union Surface Transport and Shipping ministry on opening a transport channel from Rann of Kutch to Sanchore in Jallore district, she said, adding if the project gets approval then an inland shipping port would be developed in Jallore.

Raje also said there would be no hurdle for migrant Pakistani Hindus to coming to Rajasthan and staying there as the government was planning to bring changes in the Citizenship laws.

Meanwhile, former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot attacked Raje saying she had failed launch any new scheme in the state during the two year regime of her government.

He termed as "damage control" Raje's tour to various district as she had failed bring development and also hit the old schemes being run by the previous government.

Gehlot also said the government should take corrective measure, taking cue from writers returning their awards, which was a cause of concern.