Dharmendra Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan
ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନ
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 May 2014
Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Preceded by	Veerappa Moily
MP of Rajya Sabha for Bihar
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 April 2012
Personal details
Born	(1969-06-26) 26 June 1969 Talcher, Odisha
Nationality	Indian
Political party	BJP
Spouse(s)	Mridula Pradhan
Children	Naimisha Pradhan & Nishant Pradhan
Mother	Smt. Basanta Manjari Pradhan
Father	Dr Debendra Pradhan
Residence	Talcher, Odisha
Religion	Hindu
As of 22 September, 2006

Dharmendra Pradhan (Odia: ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନ) (born 26 June 1969) is a BJP leader, and the current Minister of State (with Independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in March 2012 from Bihar state.^[1] Pradhan was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Deogarh constituency of Odisha. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan was also a member of 12th Assembly of Odisha (2000 - 2004) elected from Pallalhara constituency. He is a member of BJP and RSS. He is the son of former BJP MP Dr. Debendra Pradhan (ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନ).

Educational Qualification : M.A.(Anthropology) ,Utkal University Bhubaneswar

Pradhan is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) political party. In addition to being a General Secretary, he was assigned additional responsibility to look after the party activities in Jharkhand in August 2011.^[2]

India's first pilot programme to run two wheelers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has been launched by the Union Government in New Delhi to curb air pollution in cities. The pilot project was launched by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and is being implemented by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and one of its parent companies, GAIL (India) Limited.^[3]

ACHIEVEMENTS:

1. Diesel price deregulation a major reform; brings relief to consumers

The Government deregulated diesel prices on 18 October 2014. This move coupled with decreasing global crude oil and petroleum product prices has benefitted consumers indirectly as cost of transportation of goods by road has come down. The price of diesel has come down byRs. 11.77 per litre from its highest point of Rs. 58.97 per litre in August 2014 (in Delhi). This price reduction has directly benefitted the poor and the farmers. Deregulation of diesel will eliminate the subsidy burden on this account, besides resulting in better service delivery due to increased competition. The saving in subsidy is available inter-alia, for funding anti-poverty and social sector scheme.

1. PAHAL nationwide direct transfer of cash subsidy on LPG

The Government launched a scheme for direct transfer of LPG subsidy to consumers all over the country from January 1, 2015. This is the largest direct cash transfer scheme in the world. Under this scheme, LPG is being sold to consumers at the market rate while the subsidy is directly credited to their bank accounts as per entitlement. As on 19 April 2015, 12.61 crore LPG consumers have joined the scheme and an amount of Rs. 10833 crore has been transferred into the bank accounts of LPG consumers in 34.58 lakh transactions. The scheme will reduce subsidy outgo primarily on account of the diversion subsidized LPG cylinders to the commercial and industrial sectors. The subsidy so saved can be used for also funding Government's priority schemes.

1. Reforms in Hydro-Carbon Sector

After the formation of NDA Government, the Hydrocarbon Sector has seen major reforms. They have also found a mention in the speeches of the Prime Minister. A number of these reforms are aimed at extending benefits of Government schemes to the poorer sections of the society. Further, these reforms have also resulted in huge savings on account of subsidy, which is reflected in the budgetary allocation given below:

S.No.	Year	Budgetary Allocation (in Rs. Crore)
1.	2012–13 (Actual)	96,880
2.	2013–14 (Actual)	85,335
3.	2014–15 (Actual)	60,263
4.	2015–16 (B.E.)	30,000

1. Government strikes fine balance with revised formula for pricing of domestic gas

Within five months of taking charge, the National Democratic Alliance government took the bold decision by revising gas prices and put to rest all speculation and doubts regarding this long pending issue. While doing so, a fine balance was stuck between incentivising production and protecting the interests of the consuming sector. The increase in gas prices on the basis of the present formula is 75 percent less than the original formula arrived at by the previous government. This increase in gas price, while incentivizing exploration and production of gas in the country, significantly reduces the increase in the prices of piped and compressed natural gas, cost of production in gas based power plants and urea subsidy (about Rs. 12,000 crore at the time of approval of new gas price formula). A higher outgo on urea subsidy if the old formula was implemented may have resulted in a cut-back in the budgetary allocation to priority sector schemes.

1. "Give It Up":

A movement has been launched by the Prime Minister, appealing to wealthier LPG consumers to give up LPG subsidy. As of 18 April 2015, 3.47 lakh consumers have already given up their LPG subsidy, thereby enabling new LPG connections to be provided to the poor.

1. Priority to city gas distribution in gas allocation

As an environment friendly measure, highest priority in allocation of natural gas has been given to the transport (CNG) and domestic households (PNG). During August 2014, Government decided to meet 100% demand of CNG and PNG sector through supply of domestic gas. Further, GAIL has been authorized to supply 10% over and above the allocation to meet any fluctuation in demand. As on 31 March 2015, 28.69 lakhs households and 22.60 lakhs vehicles are benefitting from these clean and convenient fuels.

1. Government plans to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Network in Mission Mode

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas aims to expand the PNG network across the country, raising the number of households connected with PNG to one crore within five years.

1. Plans afoot to complete national gas grid

At present, 15,000 km. of Gas Pipeline network exists in the country. It is proposed to build another 15,000 km. of additional gas pipeline to complete the national grid. Out of the proposed 15,000 km. gas pipeline, 11,900 km. is already authorized and is at various stages of implementation. In order to expedite the work, 2500 km of pipelines are being planned on the PPP mode.

1. Facilitating supply of natural gas to fertilizer and power sector

The Government has approved the MoPNG proposal to supply pooled Natural Gas at uniform delivered price to all grid connected gas based fertilizer plants for urea production. It has also approved the scheme for utilization of stranded gas-based power generation capacity which was a joint proposal from MoPNG and Ministry of Power and will help in revival of 16000 MW stranded gas based power plants.

1. Government reaches out to poor; extends subsidy to 5 kg cylinder

In a key step aimed at benefitting the common man, Public Sector OMCs have launched the sale of 5 kg LPG cylinders under free trade LPG scheme in 129 cities. Under the scheme, people can buy a 5 kg LPG cylinder at market price on a "Cash and Carry" basis. This scheme is in addition to 5 kg LPG cylinder regular connections available for people at subsidized rates.

1. Increased availability of LPG to the poor and marginalised sections

In order to help poor families get LPG connections, security deposit of LPG cylinder and pressure regulator is borne by Public Sector OMCs from the CSR fund. More than 19 lakh poor families have already benefitted from this scheme, utilising CSR funds of around Rs. 300 cr.

1. 12. A consumer empowering portal

A new web-based application at www.mylpg.innow provides Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumers an integrated solution for all services related to supply of cooking gas and tracking their LPG cylinders from the comfort of their home. This application is available in 13 languages and is a part of the Digital India campaign.

1. 13. Ethanol blending in petrol gets impetus to help reduce emission

To reduce pollution on account of auto emissions, the Government has given the much needed boost to the programme to blend 5 percent ethanol with petrol by deciding, in December 2014, to procure ethanol at a fixed delivered price ranging between Rs.48.50 to Rs.49.50 per litre (including all taxes and transportation cost). Besides this, the Government has also allowed procurement of ethanol produced from non-food feedstocks, other than molasses.

1. Biodiesel

The Government decided on 16.01.2015 to allow the direct sale of Bio-diesel (B100) by private manufacturers, their authorized dealers and Joint Ventures (JVs) of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) authorized by MoPNG to all consumers.

1. Expansion of fuel retailing network across the country

The retail network of Public Sector OMCs is being expanded to facilitate availability of products all over the country, including the rural areas. Under this plan, OMCs have advertised the setting up of new retail outlets at 35668 locations and new regular and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran (RGGLV) LPG distributorships at over 7000 locations.

1. 16. Auto fuel policy

Phase wise implementation of BS IV all over the country by 01.04.2017 was notified. BS IV fuel has been made available all over Northern India from 01-04-2015. MoPNG is ready to supply BS-VI fuel by 2020–21.

1. 17. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The Government has taken up the construction of three crude oil reserves of 5.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangalore (1.50 MMT) &Padur (2.50 MMT) as a buffer to deal with any disruption in the supply chain. The Vishakhapatnam rock cavern storage facility is ready to receive crude oil.

1. Reforms in production sharing contracts to push investment in exploration

In a bid to increase domestic production of oil and gas, the Government has ironed out a number of rigidities in production sharing contracts to instill confidence among investors and ensure that work, which was stuck in a number of blocks, takes off in right earnest and without further delay. Management Committee meetings of more than 100 blocks have been held and work programme of Rs. 9600 crore approved.

1. 19. Early Monetisation of Discovered Hydrocarbon Resources

Under the policy for early monetization, 34 cases involving hydro-carbon resources worth Rs. 30,000 crore have been resolved.

1. LNG Re-gasification capacity to be enhanced to 32.5 MMTPA

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will facilitate the increase in capacity for R-LNG to 32.5 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) from the current level of 22 MMTPA.

1. Reassessment of hydrocarbon potential to bolster oil and gas production

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has rolled out an elaborate project to reassess hydrocarbon resources in India's sedimentary basins. This project is likely to be completed by March, 2016 and will provide quality data to investors on the prospectivity of the basins.

1. 22. Project approved for survey of unappraised sedimentary basins of India

This is another crucial step towards increasing India's hydrocarbon production. While reassessing oil and gas potential is one part of the overall effort, the ministry has also approved a project to appraise about 1.5 Million Sq. km in 24 sedimentary basins where no or only scanty geo-scientific data is available. Clearance of six projects under multi-client speculative survey from MoD/MHA has already been obtained. Under this project, 71,855 line km of 2D seismic data is proposed to be acquired at a cost of around Rs. 6800 crore.

1. Oil Ministry gives mega push to complete pending projects

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is making concerted efforts to arrest the decline in production of hydrocarbons from old and mature fields, push for new discoveries to boost India's production and commission projects under implementation. As a result of intensive review and monitoring, 33 major projects worth Rs. 93,244 crore including three joint venture projects,were completed during 2014–15.

1. Government pushes inclusive agenda; reserves 27% of new retail outlets for OBCs

As part of the government's agenda to benefit the backward sections of the society, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has, for the first time, implemented reservation of 27% of new Retail Outlets for citizens falling under Other Backward Castes category. This is in addition to 22.5% reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. As per current status, against 8208 locations advertised for OBC category response has been received for 2538 locations.

1. 25. Oil Ministry contributes to "Swachh Bharat Mission"

The Ministry has unveiled a series of initiatives under the "Swachh Bharat Mission". The Ministry aims at developing specific projects to give concrete shape to the initiatives under this Mission. As part of this drive, oil sector PSUs have taken up construction of over 20,000 school toilets. PSUs have also conducted around 6,600 activities including cleanliness drives, awareness campaigns, competitions, plays etc. till 31 March 2015.

1. Oil Ministry chalks out plan to give "Make in India" big push

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call to make India a manufacturing hub, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has set in motion the process to identify equipment and products in the oil sector, such as LNG ships, that can be manufactured in India. IOC R&D has successfully developed INDMAX (lndane Maximization) technology. Each of the PSUs under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has constituted a specialized Indigenization Development Group (INDEG) to promote indigenization.

1. Skill Development Mission

           With the participation of all the major companies in the oil industry, the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council (HSSC) has identified 134 roles (QPs) pertaining to the Upstream, Midstream and Gas, Downstream as well as Construction and Services sub-sectors. The HSSC roadmap for Skill Development provides for 19.27 lakh persons to be trained and certified by empanelling 500 institutions and training 1250 trainers.

1. Initiatives in the North-East

Oil sector PSUs are currently implementing nine major projects at an estimated cost of Rs.2763 crore for upgradation of existing infrastructure in the North-Eastern region of the country. On 1 December 2014, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the Unit II of OTPC Power Plant at Palatana, Tripura to the Nation. A vision group has been constituted to prepare hydrocarbon vision for the North East covering upstream, midstream and downstream sector.

For incentivizing exploration and production in the North East region, 40 percent subsidy on gas operations has been extended to the private companies operating in the region. This will boost the exploration activities, increase gas production and enhance the level of economic activities in the region.

1. 29. Oil Ministry steps up global engagement

Given that India imports nearly 77 percent of its crude oil requirement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas under Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has carried out a series of engagements with oil and gas producing nations to secure India's interests.

1. Measures to achieve fuel efficiency

Standards & Labelling programme is a key initiative undertaken by Ministry through Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA). Under this programme, fuel efficient equipment meeting stipulated standards are awarded Star Rating (1 to 5) by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

1. 31. Oil sector introduces student scholarship to generate interest in areas of energy efficiency

Scholarships have been introduced by PCRA to ignite and nurture interest in energy efficiency and fuel conservation among meritorious students, who are selected through National-level Quiz, Debate, Essay and Painting competitions.

1. 32. Retail outlets opting for solar energy to power operations

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd are progressively using solar energy for lighting their retail outlets. So far, 2140 of their retail outlets have been powered by solar energy resulting in estimated savings of Rs. 1.92 crore. The target is to increase the number to 7200 retail outlets by 31 March 2017.

1. Hydrocarbon sector reforms on the anvil

The Ministry has made significant progress in formulating :

(a) The model for next round of bidding,

(b) Model for outsourcing of marginal fields,

(c) Extension of existing production sharing contracts,

(d) Testing requirement for discoveries, and

(e) Premium on gas produced in High Pressure-High Temperature fields and from Deep and Ultra-Deep water fields.

These are expected to come up for final approval during this quarter.^[4]

Positions

• Minister of State(Independent), 2014-
• Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Bihar: 2012–2014
• Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha): 2004–2009 Deogarh, Odisha, India
• Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly 2000- 2004 Pallalhada Assembly constituency
• Bharatiya Janata Party All India General Secretary - 2010–present
• In-charge BJP Karnataka: 2011–2013
• Co-Incharge - BJP Bihar: 2010–present - State Elections
• In-charge Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM): 2010–present
• In-Charge BJP Jharkhand: Election in Charge Uttarakhand
• Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha National President: 2004–2006
• Bharatiya Janata Party: National Secretary 2007–2010
• In-charge Chhattisgarh: 2007–2010
• In-charge - BJP Bihar: 2013–end

References