New Delhi, Oct.17: Petroleum Secretary R S Pandey has mooted formation of a nodal agency to facilitate talent development in the Indian oil and gas industry.

Addressing a brainstorming session in the capital on Friday, Pandey said this nodal agency should consist of representatives from industry, academia and government along with representatives of the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB).

Pandey also advised the creation of a cell in his Ministry to support and process all relevant points where government actions are necessary.

He said that the nodal agency needs to be suitably empowered to effectively develop skilled manpower for the oil and gas sector.

Additional Secretary (MoPNG) S.Sundareshan, Jt.Secretary (MoPNGH) P.K.Sinha, CMDs of IOC, EIL, BPCL and OIL, S Behuria, M Rohatgi, A Balakrishnan, M R Pasricha, ONGC Director (HR) Dr. A K Balyan, heads of leading academic institutes and universities and senior bureaucrats attended the session. (ANI)