Transfer of Mangla Oilfield in Rajasthan to Vedanta opposed

NEW DELHI: A CPI-M member today demanded in Rajya Sabha that the government should not allow transfer of Mangla Oilfield in Rajasthan to Vedanta Resources from Cairn Energy.

Describing Vedanta Resources as "dubious contractors" owned by "scrap dealers", Tapan Kumar Sen said there was a disquiet over change in the ownership of the Indian unit of Cairn Energy in which ONGC has 30 per cent production sharing arrangement.

" Petroleum Ministry is maintaining a stoic silence on the deal," he said asking whether ONGC is silent on its own or was made to do so.

He demanded that the Centre should intervene and stop the deal instead of promoting share prices of Cairn and Vedanta in the market.

London-listed Vedanta group led by Anil Agrawal on Monday announced its decision to acquire up to 60 per cent stake in Cairn India for USD 9.6 billion giving Vedanta Resources access to India's largest on-shore oilfield.