Illegal CNG connections : OGRA criticised for creating confusion

Committee discusses unauthorised issuance of CNG licences.

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of a parliamentary penal on Tuesday grilled officials of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) over alleged corruption in issuance of 476 licences for compressed natural gas (CNG) stations despite a ban in this regard.

The sub-committee of the National Assembly standing committee on petroleum and natural resources, formed to probe provision of illegal CNG connections, met here with Talib Hussain Nakai in the chair.

Its members lashed out at Ogra officials for creating confusion and misguiding the panel regarding issuance of licences for CNG stations.

Ogra issued 306 licences for new CNG stations in fiscal year 2009-10 and 170 licences in 2010-11 despite a ban imposed by the government in 2008 because of severe gas shortages.

Committee member Barjees Tahir asked why Ogra, which comes under the Cabinet Division, sought guidance from the petroleum ministry on the issuance of new CNG licences.

He also asked which ministry sent a summary to the prime minister seeking a ban on new CNG connections.

Tahir said no new no-objection certificate (NOC) was required to get CNG connections but Ogra issued licences where NOC was needed because the prime minister had imposed a ban.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2011.