3 days ago
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A roundtable organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the CPI(M) on Thursday demanded that 50% of the natural gas produced in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin be allocated to the State, asserting that Andhra Pradesh had been deprived of its rightful share of resources.
The meeting adopted a resolution stating that substantial quantities of gas extracted from the KG-D6 block were being transported by private operators, particularly Reliance Industries, to industrial hubs in other States, while Andhra Pradesh continued to face shortages.
It noted that although nearly 21,000 tonnes of gas was produced daily, the State’s share remained at around 4,000 tonnes, leading to supply constraints affecting households, small businesses, and the hospitality sector.
Participants also raised concerns over environmental degradation and pollution caused by offshore drilling activities, pointing out that while the State bears ecological and social costs, the financial benefits largely accrue to private corporations. They cited the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission, which suggested allocating 50% of oil and gas output to producing States.
The resolution further linked global developments, including tensions involving countries such as Iran, to tightening gas supplies and rising prices. This, they said, esulted in delays in LPG cylinder availability, increased costs of essential commodities, and higher power tariffs due to under-utilisation of gas-based power plants.
Leaders criticised past governments for handing over the KG-D6 assets to private players without ensuring employment promises, alleging that job assurances fell far short of expectations.
The meeting urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to press the Centre for the State’s rightful share and called for a united public movement under the slogan ‘Mana Gas – Mana Hakku’. Leaders from various parties, mass organisations, and civil society groups addressed the gathering.
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