Private sector has big role in energy security: Dharmendra Pradhan

NEW DELHI: Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan wants a big role for the private sector in energy security and sees no reason for acrimony between the government and companies.
Pradhan inherited a ministry mired in bitter disputes with companies including RIL, but transparent pricing policies have eased matters. Cairn India also went to court over contract renewal, but this dispute is also on its way to policy-based resolution.
"Why should there be an acrimonious relationship between corporates and government? They are equal partners of this growth story. Private investment has a big role in energy security. The relationship is better when they are based on policies; when discretion is reduced, decision making in isolation ends," he told ET in an interview.
The government allowed higher gas prices for challenging fields if the operator does not have a legal dispute. Pradhan said field-level activity suggested companies are preparing to pump gas from such fields.