New Delhi, Oct 29 (ANI): Rubbishing all rumors that he was upset over a change in portfolio, former Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Jaipal Reddy on Monday said that position and portfolio was not an issue for him.
Responding to questions about speculations that he was not happy with the recent change in his portfolio as Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Science, Reddy said, "I was never happy when I was given the petroleum ministry. Similarly, now I am not"
"My relationship with my Prime Minister is excellent. Prime Minister took me into confidence about the change in my portfolio that was enough for me," added Reddy.
Talking to reporters after taking charge of his new office on Monday, Reddy said his efforts would always to be a faithful party man.
"I took ideological positions on various issues in all my life," said the minister.
Earlier, speculations were high that he was unhappy since it is considered that his new portfolio is of low importance than the previous on he had.
Reddy took over as Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, replacing Murli Deora in January, 2011.
The Petroleum Ministry, which was scene of the nation's biggest corporate battle a few years ago, had almost gone into limbo after Reddy took over in January 2011.
From delaying approval to India's largest foreign direct investment (FDI) to being a reluctant party to fuel reforms, the ministry is accused of being regressive and negative towards the industry during the past 22 months.
Reddy took on Reliance on multiple fronts over its DG gas fields in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin. Once India's second-biggest producer of natural gas, the DG fields have been under-performing.
The Reliance-led consortium has said the problems are related to geological complexities, but Reddy had asked arbitrators to look at the matter. (ANI)
