New Oil Scam Allegations Surface Amidst Historical Precedents
New Delhi, July 5, 2025 - Dr. Ranjan, a prominent figure in political and social commentary, has raised alarms over potential new scams involving oil exploration, drawing parallels to past incidents during Narendra Modi's tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. The latest concerns center around the Modi government's claims of discovering significant oil reserves in the Andaman Islands, a development that has been met with skepticism given India's historical track record in resource exploration. Dr. Ranjan's critique is rooted in a well-documented case from 2005, when the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) reportedly spent a staggering 21,000 crores without yielding any oil or gas. This incident, investigated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), highlighted alleged mismanagement and corruption, raising questions about the accountability and transparency of such large-scale public investments. The current situation in the Andaman Islands mirrors these concerns. The Modi government has announced the discovery of potential oil reserves, a move that could theoretically reduce India's heavy dependence on imported oil, which currently stands at 80%, and natural gas, at 50%. However, Dr. Ranjan and other critics argue that without concrete evidence and transparent processes, these claims could be another instance of financial mismanagement or outright scam. Adding to the skepticism is the unresolved issue of lithium reserves discovered in Kashmir in 2023. Despite the initial excitement, no mining has commenced due to feasibility concerns, further fueling doubts about the government's ability to deliver on resource-related promises. Dr. Ranjan's warnings are particularly poignant given India's economic context. The country's reliance on imported energy resources makes any domestic discovery crucial, yet the lack of tangible outcomes from past explorations raises red flags. The Andaman Islands' potential oil reserves, if proven, could indeed transform India's energy landscape, but the shadow of past scandals looms large over these assertions. As the nation watches, the call for rigorous scrutiny and accountability in these matters grows louder. Dr. Ranjan's voice joins a chorus of critics demanding transparency and concrete results, lest history repeat itself with another costly misadventure in the pursuit of energy self-sufficiency.
