Ratnagiri refinery: Expert panel to resolve land, rehab issues

The promoters of Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals, the 60-million tonne project planned on the Konkan coast, Monday appointed a five-member high-level expert panel under DM Sukthankar, former state chief secretary and former Union urban development secretary, to recommend a roadmap for settling all issues related to land acquisition, among others.

The proposed refinery, which will be the world's largest, is promoted by public sector refiners and Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) in an equal joint venture.

Among the domestic promoters, Indian Oil Corporation will own 25 per cent, while the rest 25 per cent will be equally owned by the ONGC-owned HPCL and BPCL. It is not yet clear how Aramco will own in the project, while initial reports indicated it will be major partner and the UAE firm will be a junior partner.

"The independent expert committee is appointed to find roadmap for settling the issues related to land acquisition in a fair manner and satisfactory resettlement and rehabilitation of the project-affected people," said the company, which remains in paper even after announcing it over two years ago. The project has been facing stiff opposition from the local farmers and fishermen community apart from ruling ally Shiv Sena.

Other members of the committee are Vijay Kelkar, chairman, National Institute of Public Finance & Policy, and former finance secretary and petroleum secretary; Abhay Pethe, former chair professor of Mumbai University; JB Joshi, president, Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, Mumbai; and SB Kadrekar, former vice-chancellor of Konkan Agricultural University.

The committee will also look into and make appropriate recommendations in regard to all issues connected with the overall environmental protection and ecological conservation of the region, the company said.

It will also recommend a framework and methodology for a holistic and integrated development of the region, including balanced town and country planning, economic and socio- cultural development, diversification and development of skills among the local population of the region and other relevant matters.

The committee is tasked to submit its report within the next six months.