Thaindian News

Bhopal, May 20 (IANS) Hailing it as an example of India-Oman collaboration, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday dedicated the Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh to the nation. He also announced a Rs.7,266 crore package for the underdeveloped Bundelkhand region.

The Rs.12,100 crore Bharat-Oman Refinery Limited (BORL) project is situated in Bina, over 100 km from the state capital.

The prime minister said the venture is an example of India-Oman collaboration in several things. He said: “I also believe that in the coming future we both would participate in other areas too. To fulfil the growing needs of the India economy we need to explore sources of energy.

“The Bina refinery would provide employment for 5,000 people and through corporate social responsibility, the Bharat-Oman venture would take care of the area,” Manmohan Singh said.

Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, several state Congress leaders and Oman envoy Sheikh Humaid Bin Ali Bin Sultan Al-Maani were also present.

While Chouhan thanked the prime minister for the Bundelkhand package, he demanded 60 percent employment for locals in the Bina refinery.

Using the platform, Chouhan also demanded that the caste census be stopped. “Even (Mahatma) Gandhi had opposed caste-based census. Instead of caste-based census, the poor of the country should be identified and the welfare work should be done accordingly.”

The Oman Oil Company has a 26 percent equity interest in the refinery while the Madhya Pradesh government has about one percent equity participation.

The 120,000 barrels per day-capacity refinery is capable of producing 6 million tonnes of petroleum products annually, chiefly diesel for the local market, in addition to smaller quantities of jet fuel and gasoline.

Feedstock for the project is supplied by an overland pipeline that runs 935 km from Gujarat’s Vadinar port.

BORL represents one of Oman Oil Company’s biggest investments in the subcontinent.