Government says it will create a conducive environment to tap investments in the Oil and Gas sector. Talking to reporters after taking over as Petroleum Minister, Veerappa Moily said, that the objective will be achieved by expeditious decisions on policy matters. The Minister added that the sector has potential to attract 50 billion U.S. dollars worth as investment. Hinting to take the reform agenda forward and encourage cash rich state oil firms to invest, Mr. Moily said inefficiency has to be removed. An amount of 45,000 crore rupees is expected to be invested by the public sector oil companies in the 12th plan period.

Talking to reporters the new Railway Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal said if railway fares are increased it will be for providing better services to the passengers. Mr. Bansal said, the improvement in services will have to be commensurate with the increase in fare.

New Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tiwari said he will try to evolve a consensus on all contentious issues to move forward. He said paid news is a serious issue and has to be discussed with all stakeholders including political parties for consensus.

S Jaipal Reddy this evening took over the charge of Science and Techonology ministry.

New Union Minister for Science and Technology Jaipal Reddy today said he aims to bring India to the fifth position in global Science and Technology area. Talking to reporters after taking over he said his objective is to increase the number of scientific researchers from 1.54 lakhs to 2.54 lakhs in the 12th plan period. Mr. Jaipal Reddy said he is excited to be part of the ministry. Mr. Reddy said that the Prime Minister has been devoting personal attention to this ministry. Mr Reddy said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has taken him into confidence over the reallocation of portfolios. He was replying to repeated questions by the media about the change in his portfolio.

Referring to his new ministry, Mr Reddy said over 60 thousand 800 crore rupees have been earmarked for Science and Technology in the 12th Five year plan.

Miniority Affaris Minister K. Rehman Khan said the government will review whether minorities are benefiting from various programmes being run for them. He was talking reporters after taking over the charge of the Ministry along with the Minister of State Ninong Ering. Mr Khan said that the government has been receiving complaints that the benefits of various programmes designed for the minority community were not reaching grassroot levels.

About his priorities, the veteran Parliamentarian from Karnataka said efforts will be to get measures like Prevention of Communal Violence Bill and Waqf Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament.