BS People: Vivek Rae

Tough decisions await petroleum secretary

Moving from the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises to the ministry of petroleum can be like moving from the land of pygmies to that of Gulliver. But, for Vivek Rae, petroleum secretary, who took charge on February 1, it may be a home coming in the high-profile ministry that administers policies touching almost all major Indian companies. Way back in the early 90s, when the petroleum sector was being opened up, Rae was deputy secretary in the ministry. The sector since has gone through a sea change. The liberalisation policy framed and implemented at that time is now in the midst of operational challenges. Things have changed substantially since he was last in the ministry. And, there is no better way of bringing oneself up to speed than moving from one meeting to another. Officials say Rae is these days interacting with joint secretary level officials on crucial issues.

Those who have worked with him say he is quick on the uptake. As joint secretary in the ministry of culture, he was one of the brains behind networking of libraries across the country. Though the programme started a decade ago, it finally culminated into the National Mission on Libraries during the UPA tenure. The ministry of petroleum is not an easy place to work, with controversies dodging it all the time. Though Rae's predecessor, Giresh Chandra Chaturvedi, did not see any of those sticking to him, his entry as Jaipal Reddy's man did ruffle a few feathers.

Those who have worked with Rae, however, say he is an upright person with the conviction of a doer. A 1978 batch officer of the Union Territory cadre, Rae assumed office after Chaturvedi retired early this year. While the crucial issue of petroleum pricing had already been decided upon during Chaturvedi's last month in office in January, Rae joins in a month when hard bargaining with the ministry of finance ensues on subsidy numbers. Besides, a price revision for gas being produced from KG-D6 block of Reliance Industries is also due in April 2014. Though his service tenure may end by then, Rae will have to carry forward the ticklish issue of a price increase for gas produced not only by RIL but other domestic producers too.