NA panel to probe allegations of corruption by ex-OGRA chief

‘Former Ogra chairman framed rules of his own will’.

ISLAMABAD:

As Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) officials failed to give a satisfactory explanation to legislators about the granting of CNG licences despite a ban, the sub-body of the National Assembly panel on petroleum and natural resources seized 50 records on Wednesday to probe the allegations of corruptions on former Ogra Chairman Tauqeer Sadique.

Former state minister for health Begum Shehnaz Sheikh alleged that Ogra officials were involved in taking bribes for grant of CNG station licence despite a ban on it. “Investigations should also be made to determine whether they had relevant qualifications for the posts,” she said.

PML-N legislator Barjees Tahir alleged that only one CNG station was relocated on the directive of the prime minister while 46 stations were relocated by Ogra. Ogra Executive Director Sarmad Aslam said that Ogra had taken decision over relocation of the CNG station sites. However, he concealed the fact before the committee that two then Members Ogra and Oil had written a note of dissent against the decision of relocating CNG station sites. They were of the view that it required proper policy and Ogra could not form a policy.

According to section 21 of the Ogra Ordinance, the Cabinet or its committee can give guidelines while Ogra just has powers to implement it.

Member Finance Mir Kamal Mari said that Ogra made CNG stations relocation policy following the directives of Prime Minister and therefore 47 cases were done on merit.

Begum Sheikh snubbed the Member Finance and asked how Ogra could form a policy without going to the Cabinet. Sheikh lashed at former Ogra chairman Muneer Hussain saying that he had held the office for eight years during the Musharraf regime and framed rules of his own will.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2011.