Jaipur, April 8 (NationPress) Rajasthan BJP State President Madan Rathore announced on Wednesday that the Pachpadra Refinery Project is expected to create direct and indirect job opportunities for nearly 90,000 individuals, significantly contributing to the state's self-sufficiency and economic advancement.

The refinery, which is currently under construction in Pachpadra located in the Balotra district of western Rajasthan, is set to become a monumental success for the state. The foundation stone was initially laid in 2007-08 under the guidance of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Madan Rathore highlighted that this initiative will act as a major catalyst for employment. Previous projections estimated job creation between 10,000 to 30,000 positions, but updated assessments indicate that close to 90,000 people will gain from both direct and indirect employment.

On addressing water needs, he pointed out that the government has taken an innovative route by suggesting the use of treated wastewater from Pali, Balotra, and Jodhpur, ensuring that the availability of drinking water for the public is not compromised.

He reaffirmed that the BJP government is dedicated to the welfare of the public and the comprehensive development of Rajasthan.

Criticizing the former Congress administration, Madan Rathore claimed that the agreement related to the project was not beneficial for the state and would have imposed a significant financial burden. He asserted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed without due diligence regarding environmental clearances or financial transparency, raising concerns about potential losses.

He further added that then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had invited UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to Pachpadra in September 2013 to lay the foundation stone, describing this as an “electoral gimmick,” since land acquisition and environmental clearances were not finalized at that point.

According to Rathore, the previous agreement mandated the Rajasthan government to pay an annual interest-free fee of Rs 3,736 crore for 15 years to the associated company, despite only holding a 26 percent equity stake, while the company retained 74 percent.

He deemed this arrangement unfair to the state. After the BJP regained power, substantial changes were made to the agreement, alleviating the financial strain and yielding savings of around Rs 40,000 crore. The annual payment clause was abolished, and the state’s equity stake was increased, making the project more financially feasible. The total financial contribution from the state is now capped at about Rs 16,845 crore.