Gujarat alleges Centre for dual policy on gas prices

Gandhinagar, May 4 (UNI) Gujarat government today critisised the Centre for fixing different gas prices for power projects in the BJP-ruled state and Congress-ruled states, causing a loss of Rs 1,000 crore to the state government and its industries.

Blaming the centre and the Maharashtra government for severe power crisis, the state Energy and Petrochemicals Minister Saurabh Patel held Maharashtra responsible for Dabhol fiasco.

He said when Gujarat insisted on gas allocation for Pipavav Power Plant, Central government insisted that gas be purchased at market price. However, when Gujarat was a party in the tender and quoted the highest price for the Panna Mukhta Tapti (PMT) gas, it was refused and the gas allocation was awarded to GAIL.

The UPA government has reduced the price of gas for Dabhol at the cost of Gujarat and its existing customers, he added.

The UPA government insists for market prices for Pipavav power plant while alloting gas to Dabhol at subsidised price, he said.

While expressing his deep concern over the inefficiency of power management in Maharashtra, he asked Maharashtra and the centre to stop blaming Gujarat for the power crisis.

Mr Patel said Maharashtra has been reeling under a power crisis because of inefficient planning and lack of vision of its political masters. He alleged that the leaders were enacting a political stunt to divert the attention of the people of Maharashtra and escape their wrath by falsely blaming Gujarat for their power crisis.

Mr Patel said''the Centre can not subsidise gas for Maharashtra at the cost of Gujarat and pointed out that Dabhol LNG terminal was started ten years back and during the same time, Gujarat had completed two LNG terminals, which are serving the nation for the last four years.

Due to Gujarat's vision and timely implementation of LNG terminals, Dabhol Power plant is in a position to get gas, he added.

On the other hand, the Minister alleged that Maharashtra State Electricity Board has decided to hive-off the Dabhol LNG terminal.

Patel said the construction of LNG terminal was only 68 per cent complete as against the target of 98 per cent.

He said despite opposition from Gujarat farmers, Chief Minister Narendra Modi had instructed to adopt an alternate route for the pipeline through government land to facilitate the construction of 12 kms stretch of the pipeline in Surat.

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