Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (Union Minister: 1999–2000)
Developed a long-term fertilizer policy focused on ensuring availability, stabilising subsidies, and securing raw-material supplies (including international JV strategies); negotiated and initiated joint ventures with potash-rich countries to lock long-term supply and lower import vulnerabilities.
Revised the drug policy framework to balance affordability with market competition; proposed raising automatic FDI approval limits in pharma (from 51% → 74%) to attract capital and technology.
Laid groundwork for environment-friendly chemical estates (zoning/cluster approach) to reduce contamination risks and consolidate hazardous activities with proper infrastructure.
Fast-tracked petrochemical infrastructure projects to strengthen domestic self-reliance in key intermediates.
Chemicals & Fertilizers
His contributions include:
- Long-term fertilizer sector planning and international JV development
- Industrial modernization and auto-sector innovation pushes
Major Contributions as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Fertilizers
- Instrumental in preparing a long-term fertilizer policy that would chart the future course of the fertilizer industry by involving all stakeholders.
- Set up joint ventures with countries having reserves of Potash, marking a new chapter in India's quest for self-sufficiency.
Chemicals
- Prepared a bill on Chemical Weapons Conventions.
- Set up separate environmentally friendly Chemical Estates for the chemical industry.
Pharmaceuticals
- Played a pivotal role in formulating a new drug policy with an emphasis on encouraging competition while ensuring an adequate supply of drugs at affordable prices for the people.
- Proposed raising the automatic approval limit for the pharmaceutical sector from 51% to 74% to increase foreign direct investment (FDI).
Petrochemicals
- Played a proactive role in the early commissioning of key infrastructure to improve the country's self-reliance in petrochemicals.
