Oil Minister Pradhan’s mission: An energy self-sufficient India

The Odiya strongman, who delivered stunning victory to the BJP as the in-charge of Bihar unit, straight away got down to work after taking charge of the high-profile ministry. Refusing to comment on any of the contentious issues like impending natural gas rate hike or the monthly diesel price increases, Pradhan instructed officials to make a detailed presentation on the critical issues facing the sector as well as pending decisions in the ministry.'

‘I want to study all issues in detail before I can say anything,’ he told reporters here. ‘I fully understand the challenges of this ministry.’
Son of Debendra Pradhan, who was Minister of State in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Pradhan said the people have a lot of ‘expectations’ from the Narendra Modi government. Asked if the NDA government will go ahead with the long-delayed natural gas price hike and the monthly 40-50 paisa per litre increase in diesel prices, he said, ‘My government is committed to working for betterment of the poor.’

Pradhan, who turns 45 next month, said self-reliance in energy was a pre-requisite if the country was to become a world economic power. Currently, India meets close to 80 per cent of its oil needs and half of its natural gas requirement through imports. The minister said his ministry will work in close tandem with the Finance Ministry on important economic issues. Pradhan hails from Odisha but is a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar. The high-profile portfolio is his reward for posting BJP's sterling show in the state as general secretary in-charge.