The Congress on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) accused the Narendra Modi Government of corruption and mismanagement in State-run energy companies Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), alleging that policy failures had weakened domestic petroleum and gas production and increased the country’s dependence on costly fuel imports.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil claimed that India has suffered an annual loss of 3.695 million metric tonnes in petrol, diesel and gas production since 2014.
Demanding accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Gohil sought an explanation for the decline in domestic fuel production, alleged irregularities in GSPC and what he described as “false promises” regarding hydrocarbon reserves in the KG Basin.
Highlighting ONGC’s role in the energy sector, Mr. Gohil said the company, established in 1956, contributes nearly 70% of India’s domestic oil and gas production, with 59% of the output coming from the Mumbai High, Neelam and Heera offshore fields.
He alleged that the government had sharply curtailed water injection operations—a process used to maintain reservoir pressure and enhance oil recovery—in these fields. According to him, water injection was reduced by 53% in Mumbai High, 42% in Neelam and 78% in Heera during the present government’s tenure.
Mr. Gohil further alleged that the failure to overhaul water injection systems on time, along with the use of untreated river water without proper filtration and chemical treatment, had resulted in saline bacterial growth in wells, adversely affecting production.
He also accused the government of neglecting pipeline maintenance, claiming that “pigging” operations—meant to remove corrosion and debris from pipelines—were conducted far below required levels. In Mumbai High, he said, only 83 pigging operations were carried out against a scheduled 326 in 2014-15.
Referring to a statement made by Mr. Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister on June 6, 2005, Mr. Gohil said claims of discovering 20 trillion cubic feet of oil and gas reserves in the K.G. Basin had not materialised.
He alleged that GSPC, once a profitable company, was pushed into debt exceeding ₹19,000 crore after investments in KG Basin blocks and ventures in Yemen, Indonesia and Australia yielded no returns.
Mr. Gohil further claimed that while the government promoted the “Make in India” initiative, it was simultaneously weakening domestic energy production and exposing the country to expensive imports amid a weakening rupee.
Referring to a recent visit to Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, he also alleged irregularities in diesel supply at petrol pumps, claiming that truck drivers and farmers faced restrictions in fuel purchases.
In a political attack, Mr. Gohil accused the Prime Minister of urging citizens to conserve fuel while holding large political rallies and undertaking frequent foreign visits.
Published - May 19, 2026 11:02 pm IST
Indian National Congress / oil and gas - downstream activities / corruption & bribery
Source: The Hindu - India News
