117.234.137.191 at 09:51, 3 January 2022

2022-01-03T09:51:05Z

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{{short description|1=Indian politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder | office = [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]]
| term_start = 7 July 2021
| predecessor = [[Ramesh Pokhriyal]]
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = Odia
| image = The Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holding a press conference on Cabinet Decisions, in New Delhi on December 30, 2020.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| office4 = [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas]]
| predecessor4 = [[Veerappa Moily]]
| primeminister4 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term_start4 = 26 May 2014
| term_end4 = 6 July 2021
| successor4 = [[Hardeep Singh Puri]]
| footnotes =
| date = 29 June 2019
| year =
| source =
| office3 = [[Ministry of Steel (India)|Minister of Steel]]
| term_start3 = 30 May 2019
| predecessor3 = [[Chaudhary Birender Singh]]
| primeminister3 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| successor3 = [[Ramchandra Prasad Singh]]
| term_end3 = 7 July 2021
| office1 = [[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship|Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]]
| term_start1 = 7 July 2021
| predecessor1 = [[Mahendra Nath Pandey]]
| predecessor2 = [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]]
| primeminister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| successor2 = [[Mahendra Nath Pandey]]
| term_start2 = 3 September 2017
| term_end2 = 30 May 2019
| office5 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency5 = [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| predecessor5 = [[Prakash Javadekar]]
| successor5 =
| term_start5 = 3 April 2018
| term_end5 =
| constituency6 = [[Bihar]]
| term_start6 = 3 April 2012
| term_end6 = 2 April 2018
| successor6 = [[Manoj Jha]]
| office7 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency7 = [[Deogarh (Lok Sabha constituency)|Deogarh]]
| term_start7 = 17 May 2004
| term_end7 = 18 May 2009
| predecessor7 = [[Debendra Pradhan]]
| successor7 = ''Constituency abolished''
| father = [[Debendra Pradhan]]
| mother = Basanta Manjari Pradhan
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|6|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Talcher]], [[Odisha]], [[India]]
| spouse = Mridula Pradhan
| children = 2
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| alma_mater = [[Utkal University]] ([[Master of Arts|M.A]])
| residence = [[Talcher]], [[Odisha]], [[India]]
| website = http://dpradhanbjp.com
}}
'''Dharmendra Pradhan''' (born 26 June 1969) is an Indian politician serving as the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]] and [[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship|Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]] in the [[Government of India]]. He has also been the [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas]] and [[Ministry of Steel|Minister of Steel]].

Pradhan was promoted to a Cabinet Minister on 3 September 2017. Shri Pradhan currently represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha as Member of Parliament. Earlier, he was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha.

==Early life and politics==
He is the son of Kurmi Debendra Pradhan, who was also a Minister of State in the Vajpayee government from 1999-2004. Born on 26 June 1969, he hails from the city of Talcher in Odisha.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

He became an A.B.V.P. activist while studying as a higher secondary student in Talcher College (Orissa) and later became the president of student union of Talcher College. Pradhan started his political career as an Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist in 1983 and was elected as its secretary. He holds a post-graduate degree in Anthropology from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

After serving for different positions in the BJP, he was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha. He was also elected the member of the Rajya Sabha twice from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dharmendra Pradhan: Age, Biography, Education, Wife, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia|url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/dharmendra-pradhan-15684.html|access-date=2020-09-10|website=oneindia.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Union minister==
===Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas===
Dharmendra Pradhan has been the longest serving Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas in the history of independent India. Joining as the Minister of State (In-charge) in 2014, he was later promoted to the Cabinet rank in 2017. On 31 May 2019,Shri Pradhan began his second consecutive tenure at the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India

===The Ujjwala Man===
Popularly called the "Ujjwala Man",<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dharmendra Pradhan: Ujjwala Man who helped BJP make inroads in Patnaik's citadel|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dharmendra-pradhan-ujjwala-man-who-helped-bjp-make-inroads-in-patnaiks-citadel/articleshow/69585139.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-09-10}}</ref> Pradhan is credited with the success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana launched by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas under which over 8 million LPG connections have been provided to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families over the past 6 years.Ujjwala Yojana has been hailed as the vehicle for driving women empowerment and social change.International Energy Agency termed Ujjwala Yojana as a "game-changer in ending [[energy poverty]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=International Energy Agency hails PM's Ujjwala scheme, says it's a 'game-changer in ending energy poverty' {{!}} Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-international-energy-agency-hails-pm-s-ujjwala-scheme-says-it-s-a-game-changer-in-ending-energy-poverty-2773804|access-date=2020-09-10|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> IIM Ahmedabad published a working paper on "Lighting up Lives through Cooking Gas and transforming society".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Research And Publication - IIMA|url=https://web.iima.ac.in/faculty-and-research/research-and-publication.html&page=4&rnpid=14599|access-date=2020-09-10|website=web.iima.ac.in}}</ref> PM Ujjwala Yojana, among other initiatives is also considered one of the key factors behind the re-election of the Modi Government in 2019 Lok Sabha election.

===Policy reforms===
Pradhan has led to some keys decisions in the hydrocarbon sector. Pradhan, supported by the Union Cabinet, has brought in a new Hydrocarbon Exploration & Licensing Policy, which through its uniform licensing for explorations and production of all forms of hydrocarbon, open acreage policy and marketing and pricing freedom will enhance domestic oil & gas production with substantial investment in the sector in India and generate sizable employment. He also led consumer initiatives like PAHAL which is the world's largest Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme and the Give It Up campaign, that was liberally supported by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aimed at encouraging affluent citizens to surrender their LPG subsidy for the needy receiving a successful response of 10 million consumers.

===Energy transition===
Dharmendra Pradhan, as the Petroleum Minister has been driving India's [[energy transition]] balancing India's energy demand and India's commitment to climate change mitigation efforts. He has provided to leadership to efforts around making India, a gas-based economy. With around $60 billion of investments lined up in India's gas infrastructure,<ref>{{Cite web|last=PTI|title=USD 60 billion investment coming in gas infrastructure: Dharmendra Pradhan|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/usd-60-billion-investment-coming-in-gas-infrastructure-dharmendra-pradhan/article29673498.ece|access-date=2020-09-10|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref> Pradhan has been working to expand the city gas distribution network and piped gas network in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title='City Gas networks will soon cover 72% of country's population'|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/macro-economy/city-gas-networks-will-soon-cover-72-of-countrys-population/article31704265.ece|access-date=2020-09-10|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref> He has underlined that India is going to chart its own path of energy transition which will balance India's energy demand and decarbonisation efforts.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dharmendra Pradhan: India to chart its own course of energy transition: Dharmendra Pradhan|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/india-to-chart-its-own-course-of-energy-transition-dharmendra-pradhan/articleshow/71593209.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-09-10}}</ref>

===Union Minister of Steel===
In a brief tenure as the Minister of Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan has been working on to facilitate augmentation of production capacity, ensure growth of secondary steel sector, jobs creation, ensures value addition and import substitution. With particular focus on enhancing steel usage in India, he launched Ispati Irada, a collaborative campaign to involve all stakeholders in this drive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psuwatch.com/ispati-irada-launched-by-pradhan-during-steel-chintan-shivir |title='Ispati Irada' launched by Pradhan during Steel Chintan Shivir |date=2019-09-23 |access-date=2021-07-07 |website=psuwatch.com}}</ref> He also launched Mission Purvodaya in steel sector to drive transformation of eastern India through the growth of steel industry which has majority presence in eastern India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dharmendra Pradhan unveils Mission Purvodaya to develop eastern region into a integrated steel hub|url=http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?title=Dharmendra-Pradhan-unveils-Mission-Purvodaya-to-develop-eastern-region-into-a-integrated-steel-hub&id=377595|access-date=2020-09-10|website=newsonair.com}}</ref>

===Union Minister of Skill Development===
As Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Pradhan launched many key initiatives focussing on reskilling and upskilling the manpower of India and focusing on bridging the skill gap for the Indian youth. During his tenure, the total number of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) increased by over 40% and student enrolment increased by over 28% till 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2.5 Crore people trained under Skill India in 3 years|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/25-crore-people-trained-under-skill-india-in-3-years/1324725|access-date=2020-09-10|website=outlookindia.com/}}</ref> He brought in new paradigms in the regulatory environment by mooting National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) as new unified national reg IBM, Adobe etc. to introduce new age skills related to Industry 4.0.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adobe, Skill Development Ministry launch digital literacy programme|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/adobe-skill-development-ministry-launch-digital-literacy-programme/1376913|access-date=2020-09-10|website=outlookindia.com/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheth|first=Hemani|title=IBM India, NSDC tie-up for offering free digital skills training|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/ibm-india-nsdc-tie-up-for-offering-free-digital-skills-training/article32413339.ece|access-date=2020-09-10|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref> He also launched one of the world's largest counselling program named Skill Saathi.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-23|title=Skill Saathi Youth Conclave Feb 25 - OrissaPOST|url=https://www.orissapost.com/skill-saathi-youth-conclave-feb-25/|access-date=2020-09-10|website=Odisha News, Odisha Latest news, Odisha Daily - OrissaPOST|language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2019, Pradhan continued his Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and got the [[Ministry of Steel]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>

===Union Minister of Education===

In July 2021, Pradhan became [[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]] in [[Second Modi ministry]] after the Cabinet reshuffle replacing [[Ramesh Pokhriyal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-cabinet-rejig-full-list-of-new-ministers-1825111-2021-07-07|title=Modi cabinet rejig: Full list of new ministers|website=India Today|access-date=2021-07-07}}</ref>

==Positions held==
* In-charge - BJP Uttar Pradesh
*[[Ministry of Education (India)|Minister of Education]], Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (Jul 2021 – Present)
*Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Steel (May 2019 - Jul 2021)
*Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (Sept 2017 - May 2019)
*Minister of State (Independent Charge) : Petroleum & Natural Gas (May 2014 - Sept 2017)
* Member of Parliament ([[Rajya Sabha]]), Madhya Pradesh (MP): April 2018 in BJP – present<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://petroleum.nic.in/about-us/meet-the-minister|title = MoPNG}}</ref>
* Member of Parliament ([[Rajya Sabha]]), Bihar: 2012– 2018
* In-charge - BJP Bihar:
* In-charge BJP Karnataka: 2011–2013
*[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] All India General Secretary - 2010 - 2015
* Co-Incharge - BJP Bihar: - State Elections
* In-charge Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM):
* In-Charge BJP Jharkhand:
* Election in Charge BJP Uttarakhand
* Bharatiya Janata Party: National Secretary 2007–2010
* In-charge Chhattisgarh: 2007–2010
* Member of Parliament ([[Lok Sabha]]): 2004–2009 Deogarh, Odisha, India
* Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha National President: 2004–2006
* Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly 2000–2004 Pallahada Assembly constituency
* National Secretary of ABVP 1995<ref>http://dpradhanbjp.com/biography/</ref>
* President, Talcher College Students' Union 1985
* Started as an Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist in the year 1983

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://veblr.com/user/DharmendraPradhan/videos Official Video Channel of Dharmendra Pradhan Ji on Veblr.com]

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|in-lwr}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Deogarh (Lok Sabha constituency)|Deogarh]] |years=2004 – 2009}}
{{s-aft|after=Constituency ceased to exist}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Veerappa Moily]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas]]|years= 26 May 2014 – Present}}
{{s-inc}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship|Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]]|years=3 September 2017 – 29 May 2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mahendra Nath Pandey]]}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Birender Singh (politician, born 1946)|Chaudhary Birender Singh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Steel|Minister of Steel]]|years=30 May 2019 – Present}}
{{s-inc}}
|-
{{s-end}}

{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}
{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet|state=collapsed}}
{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
{{Energy Ministries and Departments of India}}
{{14th LS members from Odisha}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pradhan, Dharmendra}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Odisha]]
[[Category:Odisha politicians]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Odisha]]
[[Category:14th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:People from Angul district]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Odisha]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:People from Debagarh district]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Steel Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Education Ministers of India]]

Dharmendra Pradhan - Revision history

117.234.137.191 at 09:51, 3 January 2022