Aiyar has blasted the state of “destructive competition” which exists between the chairmen of the state-run firms and has pledged to bring an end to the malaise by bringing in institutional changes.

“I don’t know why these people, who have worked together for 30-40 years, are behaving like this,” Aiyar told the Business Standard.

The minister was referring to the reaction of Gas Authority India Ltd (GAIL) chairman Proshanto Banerjee’s to Indian Oil Corp’s (IOC) deal with Iran’s Petropars and to a tussle between GAIL and IOC over the Haldia Petrochemicals project.

According to Aiyar, such internecine rivalry was not required. But he declined to comment on the IOC-Petropars deal as it had been initiated before he took up office.

Aiyar, who had earlier mooted an advisory committee on the restructuring of India’s oil PSUs (public sector undertakings), announced his plan to get approval from the PM’s office to set up the panel, which would be headed by V Krishnamurthy, a member of India’s national advisory council.

“I have eight options [for the restructuring]. The committee will consider them and then we will bring about institutional changes,” said Aiyar.