PM Modi’s Rajasthan Visit Gains Significance Amid Pachpadra Oil Development Row: Madan Rathore Targets Previous Agreement

Rathore said it is a matter of pride that an oil reserve has been discovered in Pachpadra. He stated that the foundation of this development was laid in 2007–2008 under the leadership of Vasundhara Raje. He added that the subsequent government led by Ashok Gehlot entered into what he described as a flawed agreement with the company involved in the project.

According to Rathore, the agreement mandated that Rs 3736 crore would be paid annually without interest for a period of 15 years. He further claimed that the state’s equity was limited to only 26 percent annually, despite asserting that both the land and the oil belonged to Rajasthan. He also alleged that no environmental clearance was obtained and that land was not properly secured before proceeding with the project. Rathore added that Sonia Gandhi was invited to lay the foundation stone just before the government demitted office.

Rathore emphasized that the revised agreement under the current dispensation resulted in savings for Rajasthan. He noted that a timeline of March 31, 2026, had been set for the project, and confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit on April 21, 2026.

The remarks underscore the political and administrative significance of the Pachpadra oil project, positioning it as a key issue ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit and reflecting ongoing disputes over past agreements and their impact on the state’s resources.