‘Samudra Manthan' scheme designed to benefit Adani, says Congress
The Indian National Congress has alleged that the government's new 'Samudra Manthan' offshore exploration scheme is designed to favor the Adani Group. The party is demanding that the funds be redirected to the state-owned ONGC, citing the private sector's lack of experience in deep-sea drilling.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions regarding government subsidies and the perceived influence of large private conglomerates in India's energy sector.
Alleging that the Centre’s ₹84,084-crore Samudra Manthan scheme for offshore hydrocarbon exploration was designed to benefit the Adani Group, the Congress on Monday (August 31, 2026) demanded that it either be scrapped or that its entire outlay be diverted to the public sector Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the Union Cabinet approved the scheme last month with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore for its first phase, and claimed that it had created a framework under which companies undertaking offshore exploration, including Adani-owned Well Spun Exploration Limited (AWEL), would receive substantial financial support from the government.
“The Narendra Modi government has designed a framework in which Adani will be doled out support under the Samudra Manthan scheme,” he alleged.
There was no response from the government or the Adani Group to the Congress’s allegations.
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