Giridhar Aramane has been relieved of majority of his duties on personal orders of Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily

A senior IAS officer handling sensitive gas pricing issue and matters pertaining to Reliance Industries Limited-held KG D6 block has been relieved of majority of his duties on personal orders of Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily.

According to the August 6 note signed by Mr. Moily and accessed by The Hindu, Joint Secretary (Exploration) in the Ministry, Giridhar Aramane, has been relieved of charge of gas pricing, acquisition of E&P assets abroad, all establishment and administrative matters related to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh Limited and unconventional hydrocarbon.

“The above mentioned work of Mr. Aramane is transferred to Joint Secretary (IC & GP) P.K. Singh,” says the note.

Mr. Aramane was involved in taking action against Mukesh Ambani-owned RIL for shortfall in production and failure to fully implement the field development programme in the KG D6 block.

A spokesman of the Ministry denied knowledge of any such order being issued.

“I demand the immediate withdrawal of the order. The new officer being posted in place of Mr. Aramane will carry out the dictates of the Petroleum Minister and would not do justice to his job,” CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta said in a letter to the Prime Minister.