Will ensure transparency in energy sector: Goyal

Newly appointed Minister of State (independent charge) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal Tuesday said he would ensure transparency in the working of the key energy ministries brought under a single head.

"In my opinion, if we set the processes right and we follow procedures and policies, if we're able to work within the system which is laid down without discretionary exceptions being made to government working, we can ensure transparency in the working of the ministry," Goyal said on taking charge of the ministry.

"I'm fairly confident we can set a lot of things right, so that as we go along things are rationalised, simplified and more honest than in the last few years," he added.

As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, the three ministries of power, coal and renewable energy have been brought under a single minister as the these sectors have "a lot of synergy".

"Keeping in mind the composite nature of the various departments and ministries related to the power sector, he (prime minister) has made a beginning in bringing the power, coal and the new and renewable energy under an umbrella," Goyal told media persons here.

He refused to call this measure a reorgnaisation.

"I do not say that this is some reorganisation. They have been brought under an umbrella so the ministries can work in tandem", Goyal said, adding this would help in removing bottlenecks in their functioning.

Asked about coal block allocations that dogged the UPA government's final years in office, the minister stressed the importance of following procedures.

To a question on privatisation of the sector, Goyal said he intended to study the best practices of the Gujarat model and the overhaul of the energy industry in the state under Modi when he brought state utilities back to profit and eliminated blackouts.

Goyal, a chartered accountant and investment banker, was treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Party and has served on the board of the State Bank of India.