Former Secretary (Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India)
Former Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India)
Distinguished Alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technologiy, Kanpur.
He was Public Interest Director, Multi Commodity Exchange of
India Ltd. (MCX) from 3rd July, 2016 to 2nd July, 2022 and its Chairman form 1st December, 2016 to 2nd July, 2022.
Independent Director on the Boards of J.K. Cement Ltd., SBI Pension Funds Pvt. Ltd. and Vacmet India Ltd.
Member of the Advisory Board of the School of Medical Research and Technology (SMRT), IIT Kanpur and Special Invitee to the Governing Body of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
- Mr. Chandra joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1978. In a diverse career spanning 37 years, he has held several prestigious positions, both in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Government of India (GOI). The experience gained in policy formulation and implementation is demonstrated by a long record of successful outcomes in multiple areas and sectors like oil and gas, industry, disinvestment, foreign direct investment, intellectual property and execution of big projects.
- During his tenure as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, GOI, major reforms to reduce the subsidy outgo substantially through Diesel Deregulation, PAHAL and Give Up schemes were introduced. Diesel deregulation stands out as a single decision, with no comparison, which has had a significant sustainable, beneficial impact on the fiscal. PAHAL is the largest cash transfer scheme in the world and finds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Major policy decisions having far reaching impact such as boosting the City Gas Distribution network, by according the highest priority in domestic gas allocation to CNG (transport) and PNG (Domestic households) segment, establishment of a National Gas Grid increasing the availability of LPG to the marginal sections of the society were also taken during this period. As a part of the measures to conserve petroleum products, reforms in pricing of ethanol under the Ethanol Blending Policy were introduced in December 2014. This helped in doubling the ethanol supplies during the Sugar Year 2014-15.
- In his earlier tenures, he has been associated with the formulation and implementation of the National Manufacturing Policy, preparation of the White Paper on Disinvestment, Operationalisation of National Investment Fund, ushering of reforms in the FDI policy which included opening up the multi-brand retail and civil aviation sectors to foreign investment, operationalising the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Project and setting up of the very successful overseas Oman India Fertiliser Project.
- Mr. Chandra has served as the Chairman of various companies and organisations such as Petronet LNG Ltd., invest India, Delhi- Mumbai industrial Development Corporation, J&K Development Finance Corporation Ltd., Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited, Oil Industry Development Board, Petroleum Conservation Research Association, and Governing Council of Centre for Higher Technology among others. He was also on the boards of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., EXIM Bank, Madras Fertilizers Ltd., Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd., Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Ltd., Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd., HMT Ltd., National Textile Corporation Limited, and Asian Productivity Organisation.
- He has been an ex-officio member of Telecom Commission, Governing Council of Technology Information Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC), National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Society.
- At present he renders advice in his areas of specialisation and participates in TV panel discussions.
- He has received State Awards and President’s Medal for Census operations. The arrangements made during his tenure as District Magistrate, Varanasi for Kalachakra Initiation at Sarnath in 1991, were termed by his Holiness the Dalai Lama as 'One of the nest I have observed so far.'
- Mr. Chandra, holds a degree in Electrical Engineering (First class with distinction) from the Indian Institute of Technology (llT), Kanpur.
- Over 37 years of experience in various assignments in the Government. He has held several prestigious positions in the Indian Government, both at the state and central levels and in various Public Sector Enterprises and government organisations.
- Former Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas, Govt. of India.
- Former Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
- Worked in different capacities in the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, in the Govt. of India.
- First CEO of the National Investment Fund.
- Turned around UP Small Industries Corporation Ltd., into profitable company, within a period of two years.
- Served as District Magistrate of Banda and Varanasi and Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi and Lucknow Divisions.
- About 6 years of experience in Board positions in the private corporate sector, since 2016, post superannuation.
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