Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated to the nation the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery in Bhatinda today. Speaking on this occasion, the Prime Minister said successful completion of this joint sector project proved that there was a large scope of public and private partnership in the country.

He said that the country was facing the challenge in the sector of energy as it imported petroleum and prices of crude oil were increasing world over. Dr. Singh said the country had made great success in refinery sector as its oil refinery capacity increased manifold since 1998. Dr Singh said despite imports in the oil sector, the Government was providing diesel, petrol and LPG to the people on reasonable rates.

The PM expressed the hope that now ancillary industries would develop in Punjab and people of the state would get direct and indirect employment besides economic benefits. He stressed the need to develop successful manpower in the country. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the Rs 21,500-crore project has been completed within the given time and all care has been taken to maintain the environment of the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy said with the setting up of this refinery, petroleum needs of northern region would be fulfilled. He congratulated the HPCL and LN Mittal Company for completing this project in a record time.

Billionaire Lakshmi N Mittal, who was also present at the function, said capacity of his first downstream oil venture at Bhatinda would be doubled to 18 million tonne in future. Mittal said the unit would help in energy security of the country and make Punjab a petrochemical hub.

Union Ministers Ashwani Kumar, RPN Singh, Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil and the State Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal were present on the occasion.