Dharmendra Pradhan Biography

 Dharmendra Pradhan is an Indian politician and a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was born on June 26, 1969, in Talcher, Odisha, India. Pradhan has held several important positions in the Indian government and has been actively involved in politics for many years.

Education:

Dharmendra Pradhan completed his schooling in Talcher and later obtained a Bachelor's degree in Arts from the College of Arts and Crafts in Cuttack, Odisha. He then pursued his Master's degree in Anthropology from the University of Delhi.

Political Career:

Pradhan's political journey began at a young age when he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). He was actively involved in student politics during his college days. In 1998, he became a member of the BJP's National Executive Committee.

In 2004, Dharmendra Pradhan was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament) from Bihar. He served as a member of various committees, including the Committee on Home Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture.

Pradhan gained prominence when he was appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas in May 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He played a crucial role in implementing several major reforms in the oil and gas sector, such as the introduction of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a scheme to provide clean cooking fuel to households below the poverty line.

In 2019, Dharmendra Pradhan was re-elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. Later that year, he was elevated to the position of Cabinet Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Minister for Steel.

Achievements and Initiatives:

During his tenure as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Pradhan focused on expanding the reach of clean energy sources, including the promotion of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections, the development of the natural gas sector, and the promotion of ethanol blending in petrol. He also spearheaded efforts to attract foreign investment in the oil and gas sector.

As the Minister for Steel, Pradhan aimed to increase domestic steel production, promote the use of steel in various infrastructure projects, and address the challenges faced by the steel industry in India.

Personal Life:

Dharmendra Pradhan comes from a political family. His father, Debendra Pradhan, was a member of the Jan Sangh and served as a BJP leader in Odisha. Pradhan is married to Mridula Pradhan, and they have two sons.

Conclusion:

Dharmendra Pradhan is a prominent BJP leader and a seasoned politician. His contributions to the petroleum and natural gas sector, as well as the steel industry, have been significant. With his political experience and commitment to public service, he continues to play an important role in Indian politics.