Devendra Fadnavis says resistance to Barsu refinery project benefitted Pakistan

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, August 4, said that the Barsu refinery project which faced heavy resistance from the locals in Ratnagiri benefitted Pakistan. Fadnavis, who is also the Maharashtra Home Minister, told the legislative council that those opposing the refinery project were the same people who participated in protests against Aarey, Bullet Train and even at Narmada Bachao Andolan.

“If you check their record, they constantly go to Bengaluru. Money in their (bank) account comes from Bengaluru,” Fadnavis said, claiming that some activists are in touch with the ex-cadre of Greenpeace, the banned environmental organisation. "It is wrong to oppose projects that will boost the state’s economy in the next 20 years," he said.

Fadnavis exposes anti-development forces 

Fadnavis said that the delay in establishing the project due to the protests drove investments for the refinery away to Pakistan. The project saw the setting up of the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd (RRPCL) under the joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. The project managed to win the attention of Saudi Arabia's Aramco and UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company which showed keen interest in a partnership in building the refinery. 

“It (the Barsu project) is beneficial for Maharashtra. Since we delayed, the company which was to come along with (Indian) government companies has invested in Pakistan. Pakistan is benefitting due to this. Still, our government companies will build the refinery,” Fadnavis said referring to Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Aramco. 

The project, however, is being opposed by local residents in Ratnagiri as they fear that the mega project will adversely affect the fragile biodiversity of the coastal Konkan region and also negatively affect their livelihood.

Apart from the refinery project, Fadnavis also highlighted the Aurangzeb issue which he claimed was an attempt to destabilise the state. “Suddenly Aurangzeb’s procession, posters, and (social media) statuses in different districts (happened) at the same time. This is no coincidence, but an experiment. Aurangzeb was never the hero of Indian Muslims,” Fadnavis said.