Page 23 - Dharmendra Pradhan

BJP's doors in Odisha open for 'clean and strong' leaders: Pradhan

New Delhi, April 12The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set its eyes on winning seats in states on the Coromandel coast of India in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, particularly in states like Kerala and Odisha. To compensate for the lack of influential leaders in these regions, the BJP says its doors were open for leaders from rival parties.In Odisha and Kerala, the BJP is being accused of engineering splits in such parties as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress. Recently, Odisha's ruling party BJD Lok Sabha member Tathagata Satpathy alleged that the BJP was trying to drive a wedge in his party. Later, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik blamed the BJP for fueling such "false" reports. There have been reports in Kerala media about the possibility of some of the Congress leaders joining the BJP in the state.Today, union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is fast emerging as the BJP's face in Odisha, said his party would welcome "clean and strong" leaders from other parties. "We want to strengthen our .

Digitisation of payment system to help poor: Dharmendra Pradhan

Pradhan emphasised on the role of CSC in ushering the digital revolution in rural India

'Make in India' and 'Make in America' not contradictory: Dharmendra Pradhan

Pradhan said energy accessibility and affordability is the Modi government's primary priority

Oil PSUs to invest over Rs 1.4 lakh cr in Andhra by FY22: Pradhan

Minister also said about $20 bn is being invested in KG basin by both public and private sector

Nobody is above law: Dharmendra Pradhan on raids on brother's LPG agency

Pradhan said he would not attach any political motives to action as he is in-charge of the ministry

Raids on gas agency owned by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's brother

Appropriate steps are also being taken to initiate action against defaulting filling stations

Indian refineries owe over $2 bn oil dues to Iran: Dharmendra Pradhan

Imports from Iran are second to only Saudi Arabia (20.4 mt) and Iraq (19.6 mt)

ONGC, DGH under scrutiny for gas migration: Pradhan

A $1.55-billion penalty notice has been put on the Mukesh Ambani-led RIL for producing ONGC's share of natural gas in the basin

$25-billion investment to be made in petroleum sector: Pradhan

A huge investment of $25 billion in the oil and gas sector is on the anvil, says Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister

Rs 20k-cr MP solar power plant to fuel refineries: Dharmendra Pradhan

The MoU for the 2,700 Mw plant was signed with the state during the Global Investors Summit

Penalty on Reliance Industries to be based on gas price when produced: Dharmendra Pradhan

Interview with Union Petroleum Minister

Post-Brexit UK offers huge scope: Dharmendra Pradhan

Minister highlighted the potential offered by Britain to India, with London as a financial capital and great centre for technology and innovation

India to exceed 11% oil demand growth in 2016: Dharmendra Pradhan

Growth will be driven by better monsoon rains and an acceleration of economic activity

Transparent policies in India for investment in energy: Dharmendra Pradhan

He said India is seeking global investors for its energy sector to create competition in the domestic market

Dharmendra Pradhan to lead roadshow in Singapore

Pradhan will also meet Asian oil and gas industry leaders to attract FDI in the Indian hydrocarbon exploration and production sector

Of teachers and cab drivers

There's a mini-storm raging in Odisha over the appointment of retired teachers to temporarily fill up vacancies in schools. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the state government's plan to fill the huge number of vacancies in primary and secondary schools and said teachers should not be hired like cab drivers and made to take classes "on call". On his part, state school and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra clarified the move was aimed to make the system smooth and ensure that studies in schools were not affected and alleged it was the Union minister who was comparing teachers with taxi drivers.

Dharmendra Pradhan to launch LPG scheme for BPL households in West Bengal

To meet additional demand, the three oil marketing companies - IOC, BPCL and HPCL would invest around Rs 540 crore

Dharmendra Pradhan favours lower cess for explorers

The oil minister said that cess has to be in line with oil market dynamics

Govt open to deliberating on merger of oil firms: Dharmendra Pradhan

Minister said with crude oil prices falling, profits and margins of state-owned E&P firms ONGC and Oil India were getting eroded.

Petroleum Minister favours merger of CPCL with IOC

Centre is expecting more co-operation from the state government, says Minister