Spokesperson: Shri Shaktisinh Gohil: He disclosed that the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister has recently approved the Samudra Manthan scheme, saying that it has been enacted to benefit the Adani group at the cost of the Oil and Natural Gases Commission.

“In the first phase of the scheme itself, a massive outlay of ¹ 84,084 crore has been made. The Narendra Modi government has designed a framework in which Adani will be doled out support under the Samudra Manthan Scheme”, he revealed, adding, “under Samudra Manthan” Scheme (the National Offshore Exploration Scheme), Government of India will provide up to 50% financial support”. He said that the Government has admitted that it has launched this scheme to reduce exploration risk and encourage investment in the hydrocarbon sector. “What it has not clarified is that this scheme has been carved to profit Adani”, he noted adding, “the Samudra Manthan scheme has been devised to singularly benefit Adani Group.”

Shri Shakti Sinh Gohil said, “Under Samudra Manthan scheme, Government of India will bear 50 per cent of cost for every deep sea well drilling, 2D and 3D seismic surveys, artificial intelligence-led reprocessing of existing geological data, development of offshore infrastructure and all related business activities that Adani led AWEL will do.”

He pointed out that oil exploration is an extremely expensive business. On an average, one deep sea well exploration itself costs more than Rs. 1100 crores. As AWEL is an unlisted joint venture, detailed standalone financial statements not published. However, disclosure in Adani Enterprises’ FY 2024-25 Annual Report indicate:

Item FY2024-25 Net Assets: - Rs 410 crore. Share of Profit/Loss of -Rs 2.2 crore. Adani’s AWEL has exploration rights in B 9 cluster, MB-OSN-2005/2 block of Mumbai Offsshore Basin, Tapi Daman and Kutch. AWEL has announced that it will begin major oil and gas exploration in next few months.

So, now Adani’s AWEL will be able begin its business activities which will be funded by government of India. AWEL will have access to use all government resources for oil exploration including a pipeline.

“Why is the Modi government wanting to de-risk private exploration with public money?” he asked.

We demand Samudra Manthan scheme should be scrapped Or the entire amount of Rs. 84,084 crores should be diverted to Government’s own public-sector energy giant ONGC to create jobs and facilitate exploration.

Because Samudra Manthan should churn the ocean for India—not churn taxpayer money to ensure profit for one private Company. Samudra Manthan should benefit every Indian, not just Adani, he said. Monday, August 31, 2026