By IANS,
Barmer (Rajasthan) : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday that the inauguration of Cairn India’s Mangala oil fields here is bound to bring enormous prosperity to Rajasthan.
Speaking after inaugurating the Mangala field, India’s largest oil discovery in two decades, he said: “It is a historical fact that whenever oil has been found in a country, it has developed very fast. I believe after the oil production here, there will be a new Rajasthan where there is no poverty and less unemployment.”
He added: “Our country is moving forward at a rapid rate. This rapid rate of growth has to be fed with increasing demand for energy.”
Manmohan Singh also referred to the drought engulfing parts of the country following a shortfall in monsoon rains.
“I know lots of places including Rajasthan are suffering from drought. I have assured Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot that the central government is with the state in this fight to mitigate the suffering of people, and we will approve whatever is necessary.”
He also said that India was “a very good place for investment” as demonstrated by Cairn India’s success story. “I invite investors from all over the world and promise them full support.”
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were present at the function.
Mangala’s peak production of 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) will be reached in the first half of 2010.
Earlier, the prime minister undertook an aerial survey of drought-hit areas in Rajasthan.