Mishra Hopes To Resolve Oil Pool Deficit Issue Soon

The new minister for petroleum and natural gas, Janeshwar Mishra, is hopeful of an early solution to the oil pool deficit which has crossed the Rs 16,000 crore mark.

Immediately after assuming charge yesterday, Mishra told Business Standard that a cabinet paper was being prepared in this regard. He said he would study the situation before making up his mind on how to tackle the vexed problem that has been engaging the nations attention for more than seven months now.

The minister said he was happy that the issue had been widely debated across the country. He would consider opinions expressed at various fora while deciding on the course of action he would like to pursue.

 

Asked how he would divide the ministrys work between himself and the minister of state for petroleum and natural gas T R Baalu, Mishra said it would not be difficult since he himself had been a minister of state in the petroleum ministry under H N Bahuguna in the early seventies.

The ministry wore a festive look with corridors and the ministers room smelling of freshner. Flowers could be seen tastefully placed at strategic corners both in the minister as well as his personal staffs rooms.

Top officials of public sector oil companies could be seen vying with each other, waiting for the ministers darshan with bouquets and smiles.