Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy (Photo: PTI)
Taking charge as Coal and Mines Minister on Thursday, G. Kishan Reddy said India must increase domestic production of fossil fuels and reduce coal imports.
In the previous Narendra Modi government, both ministries were headed by Pralhad Joshi.
Joshi, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy, was also present on the occasion and wished Reddy good luck.
“We need to reduce imports and increase domestic production,” he told reporters after taking charge.
India’s coal imports rose 7.7 percent to 268.24 million tonnes (MT) in FY24.
Reddy further said that a decade ago, there was a shortage of coal in the country and as a result, there was also a shortage of electricity. But sufficient power has been available for the past ten years.
When asked what his government’s priority will be for the mining sector, he said: “I have just taken charge and I will assess the department… first I want to see my officers and then I can say something. I wants to assess the department first.”
To strengthen India, both the Coal Ministry and the Mines Ministry will be at the forefront, he said, adding that in the next five years, “we will work with determination, dedication, discipline and commitment.
He said both ministries will work together as a team, he added.
Reddy retained the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency by a margin of over 49,000 votes in the recent Lok Sabha polls, defeating his nearest Congress rival Danam Nagender.
Born to middle-class farmer parents in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana, near Hyderabad, he started his political career as a common laborer in 1977. He held important party positions, including president of the state unit of the BJP and national president of BJP’s Yuva. Morcha (BJYM).
As a Union Minister, the leader held the Housing, Tourism, Culture and Development portfolios of the Northeast region. He is also a three-time MLA.
Satish Chandra Dubey, who is considered a strong Brahmin leader of the BJP in Bihar, also took charge as the Minister of State for the Ministries of Coal and Mines.
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First print: June 13, 2024 | 4:06 PM IST