CNG cylinders: ‘Which is the competent authority for inspection?’

CNG station owners say they are being ‘harassed’ by three government bodies.

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court told a deputy attorney general (DAG) to appear again on June 20 and tell the court which government authority is competent to conduct raids at CNG stations to keep a check on gas cylinders being used.

Justice Ayesha A Malik issued the order on Wednesday on a petition moved by owners of CNG stations. The owners want the court to decide which authority can carry out inspections of CNG cylinders. They say officials of three institutions – the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Explosives Department – were “harassing” them in the name of checking the cylinders. On Wednesday, Deputy Attorney General Naseem Kashmiri told the court that the Hydrocarbon Development Institution of Pakistan had no authority to inspect CNG cylinders.

“The authority rests with the Ogra,” said Kashmiri. However, Justice Malik asked him to talk to the departments concerned and appear before her court again on June 20 with an answer.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2013.