Oil PSUs commit Rs 100 cr to Badrinath revamp: ‘In process’ earlier than Covid

Five state-owned oil and gasoline PSUs, on Friday, dedicated Rs 100 crore for the redevelopment of Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand as a religious sensible metropolis. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned the transfer “would help attract tourists to the state”, including that oil PSUs would additionally contribute to the event of Kedarnath, Uttarkashi, Yamunotri and Gangotri. The newest announcement, nonetheless, has triggered questions on why oil sector PSUs are directing company social accountability (CSR) funds in the direction of such a mission when India is coping with the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To make it ‘self-sustaining’
Sources at oil and gasoline public sector endeavor (PSUs) advised The Indian Express that the choice to contribute to the event of Shri Badrinath Dham “was in the process” earlier than the pandemic.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), GAIL, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) are every set to contribute about Rs 25 crore, whereas Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) will contribute about Rs 20 crore and Rs 5.5 crore, respectively.
A supply at a number one oil PSU mentioned that the purpose behind this transfer was to make the Shri Badrinath Dham “economically self-sustaining”.
Earlier contribution by PSUs
The aforementioned 5 oil and gasoline PSUs contributed Rs 870 crore to the PM-CARES fund arrange final yr to fight the pandemic.
Oil & gasoline sector firms have additionally been collaborating within the efforts to bolster the availability of oxygen to the worst-affected areas throughout the nation, as India offers with a second wave of infections.
The oil and gasoline PSUs talked about didn’t instantly reply to emailed requests for formal touch upon their contributions to the mission.