Gehlot warns public agitation on oil refinery demand in Barmer

Accusing BJP of dilly-dallying on previous Congress government's decision on a refinery in Barmer, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today warned that the public will go on protest if a positive decision was not taken on it in Petroleum Ministry's special committee meeting scheduled later this month on December 27.
In its meeting, a four-member committee of Petroleum Ministry would review the setting up of oil refinery in Pachpadra of Barmer district, whose foundation stone was laid by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in 2013, Gehlot said in a press statement here.
"Taking political revenge, BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje created hurdles which were undesirable. If this project had been started on time, it would have created thousands of jobs for youth in western part of the state," he said.

The refinery was to be set up in four years, but the Raje government spent two years sitting idle on the ambitious project, he added.
BJP's Union Petroleum Minister, Central government, and even Prime Minister have remained mum on the issue and not taken any positive decision, he said, adding that public would go on an agitation path if a positive decision is not taken.
"Despite decrease in construction material cost, the state government is not showing any interest in the project... The reason and logic of the BJP government in doing this is still not clear," he said.