Iran-Pak-India pipeline to be finalised by June: Minister

Hyderabad, Apr 5 (UNI) The deal on the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is likely to be finalised by June 2007, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murali Deora announced here today.

Talking to mediapersons after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy launched five per cent Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP), he said Turkmania was another option being considered. He laid the foundation for the CNG mega station of Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd in the Saroornagar area of Hyderabad.

To a question he denied that Iran was indulging in arm-twisting with regard to the gas pipe line. 'No one is twisting India's arm.' On pricing of petroleum products and gas produced by private drilling companies, the Minister said specific agreements were made with various public, private and foreign exploring companies and pricing would be decided as per the agreement.

He also announced that a new exploration authority would be set up to address issues concerned with exploration.

UNI