We must ensure energy security for our people and provide energy which is affordable, accessible, clean, efficient and sustainable, said Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan speaking at FIPI Awards 2020.

Pradhan  said that the Indian oil and gas sector will play an important role in the making of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and fulfilling not only domestic requirements but also meeting the global expectations. We shall move towards making the petroleum industry a clean energy industry.

The sector undertakes maximum capital spending, providing large employment and giving fillip to the economy and garnering revenue for the state. In about one century of journey of the oil and gas industry in the country, the sector has grown by leaps and bounds. Despite deregulation and increased competition, the sector is doing exceedingly well. It is producing world class products, doing innovation and R&D and showing vision,” said Pradhan.

Pradhan said that during Covid-19, the oil companies led from the front, and helped the country face the pandemic effectively. No shortage of fuel was noted during the period in any part of the country. The distribution of over 14 crore cylinders to the Ujjawala beneficiaries during the period helped the poor who were in dire need of support at that time.

The Minister said, "The petroleum industry has laid down a roadmap for the energy sector - Digitalisation, gas-based economy, new and alternative fuels are some of the areas we are focusing on. Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, movement towards gas-based economy and rollout of BS-VI standard has been lauded the world over."

“We are targeting 20% ethanol blending by 2024-25 which will make India the country with largest ethanol blending in absolute terms,” added Pradhan.

Talking about climate sustainability, Pradhan said that India has adopted renewable energy on a massive scale and called upon the industry to adopt new technology, new processes and new paradigms so that India’s future energy requirements are met mostly from the clean energy sources.