Manmohan Singh assures Narendra Modi on gas pricing

NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and conveyed his displeasure over the Centre's refusal to provide gas to the state at prices it is given to Mumbai and Delhi. “It was a very good meeting and we had a long discussion during which several different issues came up. The prime minister gave his good wishes for the development of Gujarat and the success of the new government.

I gave an assurance that Gujarat will give full support to all measures taken for the welfare of the people,” Modi told reporters after the hour-long meeting here. This was Modi’s first meeting with the prime minister after he won a third term as chief minister. “A legal battle is on between us and the Government of India. Gujarat is not given gas at the price at which Delhi and Mumbai get it. We had gone to court and won the case. Despite this the order was not implemented for six months and we filed a contempt petition. Instead of accepting this order, the Government of India went to the Supreme Court to delay the process. I have expressed my unhappiness to the prime minister over this,” he said.

Among issues he raised with the prime minister was building a sluice gate on the Sardar Sarovar dam on Narmada and sought the prime minister’s intervention in getting clearance for the long-pending project as early as possible. He said the prime minister should look into the demand for completion of the canal network on Narmada to provide water to farmers. “As per the Government of India norms, Gujarat should get this. I requested him that Gujarat should get the same benefits that other states get.” He said the PM had assured him that he will be providing all necessary help for the people of Gujarat