SP wants petro-products export ban, Govt says NO

8220;Anyone can make a demand and we in the government will consider based on the merits of it and in this case the merits are not in favour of banning exports,8221; he said.

Meanwhile Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said in New Delhi he has not received any representation on withdrawal of EoU Export oriented Unit status to any industry.

8220;He Amar Singh had met me, but did not discuss any EoU issue with me,8221; Nath said.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, as part of the bargain to save the UPA government, has demanded that incentives to Reliance Industries8217; Jamnagar refinery be scrapped and exports from the unit stopped.

India is surplus in refining capacity with its 19 refineries totalling 149.5 million tons in installed capacity while the domestic fuel demand stands at only 121 million tons.

On the demand for withdrawing EoU status to Jamnagar refinery, the official said the government cannot single out any particular unit.

8220;For that to happen, we need to take a broader policy decision on EoU8217;s across the board. There cannot be a policy for one particular industry or a unit. If there has to be a change in the EoU policy, it has to be applicable for all,8221; he said.

Not only Reliance Industries, but even public sector companies like Indian Oil Corporation, export their surplus products. If the government were to ban exports they too would be affected.