New Delhi, Jan 19 : Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary R. S. Pandey today called for enhancing efficiency in the productivity of the hydrocarbon sources of energy.

Inaugurating the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight 2009 (OGCF 2009) here today, Pandey emphasised that India should emulate the example of Japan which has improved hydrocarbons productivity over a period of time and achieved about three times more than the global average.

He informed that India was somewhat better than West Asia. "We have to move towards the standards of Japan", he stressed.

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.

New Delhi, Sept 29 : Petroleum Secretary R. S. Pandey on Monday said that the Reliance Industries wants tax changes to make diesel sales from its export-oriented refinery commercially viable in the domestic market.

Surging demand has forced state-run refiners to import diesel, while Reliance sells the same fuel overseas as domestic sales would attract heavy duties due to the tax concessions given to its refinery against a commitment to export.