India Cabinet Approves Rs 84,084 Cr Offshore Oil‑Gas Scheme and Rs 5,070 Cr Floating Solar Program
The Union Cabinet approved the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, branded "Samudra Manthan," with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore. The programme is designed to accelerate deep‑water and ultra‑deep‑water oil and gas exploration in India’s exclusive economic zone, fund seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, and common offshore infrastructure, and create a manufacturing and services zone for offshore equipment. Officials said the scheme could identify more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil‑equivalent reserves and reduce India’s reliance on imported crude, which accounts for about 85 % of consumption.
In the same meeting the Cabinet cleared the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, allocating Rs 5,070 crore to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic capacity on reservoirs and lakes, together with at least 10,000 MWh of two‑hour storage. The floating‑solar push is intended to increase renewable generation while preserving land resources and reducing reservoir evaporation. Both schemes are presented as part of a broader strategy to strengthen energy security, promote clean‑energy technology, and generate employment.
The Cabinet also announced an expanded Khelo India sports programme, but the primary focus of the approvals was on the offshore oil‑gas and floating‑solar initiatives.
Entities: Ashwini Vaishnaw · Government of India · India · Ministry of Petroleum · Narendra Modi · Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) · Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana · Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) · Union Cabinet
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The floating solar scheme targets development of 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity and at least 10,000 MWh of storage.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government expects the Samudra Manthan scheme to identify reserves of more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan offshore exploration scheme with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] India imports about 85 % of its crude oil consumption.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The offshore scheme will fund seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, and creation of common infrastructure for offshore production.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana with a budget of Rs 5,070 crore.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Cabinet also approved an expanded Khelo India sports programme.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Samudra Manthan scheme aims to accelerate deep‑water and ultra‑deep‑water oil and gas exploration in India’s offshore areas.