Odisha to get Rs 1.5lakh cr-2lakh cr from coal bidding: Petroleum Minister

--‘State to get investment of Rs 1L cr in petroleum sector’

BHUBANESWAR: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that Odisha would get Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Rs 2 lakh crore from bidding process of coal during its allocation next year. The total bidding price would go to the State exchequer, he added.

Pradhan while addressing mediapersons here said the BJP Government in the Centre, which believes in federal structure, would share 100 per cent profit with the State like coal bidding process.  

The Centre had brought ordinance on coal block allocation, but it could not be passed by the Rajya Sabha due to opposition party’s protest. But the Government would bring the ordinance in the next session of the Parliament to start coal allocation, he added. 

Criticising the State Government, which has been parroting the old slogan ‘Centre’s neglect towards State’, Pradhan clarified that the BJP Government has helped the State immensely by increasing mining royalty by 15 per cent and recent decision to give total bidding price of coal to the State Government.

“After hike in mining royalty, the State Government would get around Rs 2,000 crore every year. The State would also get over Rs 1.5 lakh crore from coal bidding process. Even the Centre had sanctioned more funds to the State in railway sector,” said Pradhan, adding, “If the State still accuses the Centre, we will think that it is trying to divert attention of the people by telling lies.” 

Pradhan informed that the Centre would invest Rs 1 lakh crore in petroleum sector in Odisha. The investment would create thousands of jobs and boost the business sector in the State. “We have already laid foundation stones for some projects related to oil and its byproducts in Paradip and we are trying to begin some more projects to boost business in the State,” he added.