New Delhi: The Government on Monday said that options to purchase crude oil from Russia were being explored and discussion has taken place at appropriate levels with Russia in this regard.
“In a situation that has been characterised by the pandemic for two years and in the last few weeks of a war between Russia and Ukraine, the government will explore all options which are available,” said Minister for Petroleum Hardeep Singh Puri in Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour.
He responded to a supplementary query of CPM MP John Brittas, who wanted to know if the government was buying crude oil from Russia at a discounted rate.
“I myself had a conversation at appropriate levels of the Russian Federation. These are discussions currently underway. Issues related to availability of crude oil, payment arrangements and host of other things… I would be delighted to inform whenever these arrangements are worked out between our oil companies and their counterparts in Russia. It’s a dynamic situation, characterised by a military warfare.”
Puri informed that the government was looking for an alternate market for fuel purchase in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Replying to Congress MP Shakti Singh Gohil on whether the government intends to reduce diesel rates, the Minister said that the prices of diesel were deregulated. “When we saw that relief needs to be provided to consumers, the Prime Minister slashed rates on November 5, 2021,” Puri said in the House.Â
