Desert Park_Block Block RJ-ONN-2003/2_ProjectsMonitorCan you imagine the government awarding an oil exploration block part of which is a national park? It has happened in case of Block RJ-ONN-2003/2 which is spread over three districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur. The block which evoked interest from Reliance Industries, Cairn Energy, Oil India and Gail was eventually won by a consortium led by Focus Energy. But Focus Energy’s trouble started when it discovered National Park (instead of crude oil) in the block awarded to it. It was found that part of the block is covered under Desert National Park where exploration activity is not allowed.

When the company approached the government to resolve the issue and give extensions for its Work Programmes, it encountered just silence and inaction from the government. The government whose substantial energy, now a days, is devoted in dealing with major companies like Reliance and Cairn and also in answering queries from CAG, nobody is willing to own up responsibility for this major blunder. The government is unable to decide whether decision should be taken at Joint Secretary level or at Additional Secretary level. And in the process poor Focus Energy is losing its focus!


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