Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily said on Saturday that, personally, he had not received threat from any of the oil import lobby.

The minister made the statement, following his allegation on Friday that petroleum ministers in India were threatened by oil import lobby.

“I had said that there is threat only for the exploration of oil deposits. Also, I do not have any personal link with Reliance company,” the minister said, during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the SC/ ST Boys’ Hostel, named ‘Áshoka,’ on the Ambedkar Institute of Technology premises at Mallathahalli.

Around 80 per cent of the oil and gas need is met through imports. For this, about Rs eight lakh crore is spent each year. Countries such as China, USA, Canada had witnessed a jump of 30 pc to 40 pc in oil deposits, of late. This is possible even in India, the minister said.

Minister for Higher Education R V Deshpande, who was present on the occasion, said he would take up the issue of bifurcation of Bangalore University only after he sees the relevant file.

S S Mantha, Chairperson of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), told reporters on the sidelines of the function that they were keen on introducing 15 per cent supernumerary quota for foreign students in technical institutions as there were several vacancies across India.

Mantha said the concept of community college would be popularised through 200 polytechnics across India. Each polytechnic would be given Rs two crore for this.
The Ashoka SC/ST Boys’ Hostel will be developed under AICTE’s National Skills Development Programme grant of Rs two crore. The hostel will have 18 rooms to accommodate 36 students.