Nitish refutes allegation of Paswan on land for petro-chemicals

Patna, Nov 11(UNI)Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today refuted the allegation of Union Steel and Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilash Paswan that the Bihar government had failed to provide land for petro chemicals complex in Barauni.

In a letter written to Mr Paswan, Chief Minister referred to a report appeared in a section of press quoting him that the state government had failed to provide land for petro-chemicals complex in Barauni despite request from petroleum ministry.

''In this context I have to say that no such letter was ever received by the state government as our authorities failed to trace it despite their best efforts'', Mr Kumar said and requested Mr Paswan to send its true copy to Bihar government if it was available with him.

Mr Kumar assured Mr Paswan that the Bihar government would do the needful without loss of time if a copy of the said letter was made available by him.He, however, clarified that union petroleum secretary R S Pandey had denied of any such letter issued to Bihar government.

Chief Minister said he had earlier urged the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure the setting up of a petro-chemical unit in Bihar. But, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora had informed the state government that no proposal of establishing petro chemical unit in Bihar was under consideration.

UNI KKS/ANJ DB2219