The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has approached the Cabinet Division, asking it to initiate an inquiry into the conduct of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) officials who illegally granted new licences and allowed relocation of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations.
The ministry knocked on the doors of Cabinet Division since Ogra comes under its purview. Ogra granted 476 licences for setting up CNG stations over the last two years despite a ban imposed by the government to cope with the shortage of gas.
“We have asked the Cabinet Division to find out how Ogra did this despite a ban on new CNG stations,” Petroleum Secretary Ijaz Chaudhry said.
Ogra granted most of the licences to influential people and action against these people is the most serious challenge faced by the ministry.
However, talking to the media on Saturday, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain said action would be taken against all. “I will take action irrespective of their social or political position,” he said, adding the country was facing acute gas shortage and the ban had been imposed to ensure gas supply to all sectors.
The minister said action was being taken against those involved in gas theft and cases involving theft of 180 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in Sindh and more than 200 mmcfd in Punjab had been detected.
In a campaign against theft, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has recovered Rs4.88 billion and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has recovered Rs2.3 billion from consumers over the last two months.
Amendments are also being made in law to tighten the noose around people stealing gas by tampering, altering or damaging meters or pipelines.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2011.
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