Homes, CNG stations to get gas at industries’ expense

Cabine­t grants additi­onal subsid­y to power sector, calls for declar­ing bureau­crats’ assets.

ISLAMABAD:

As public anger on the streets continues to mount, the federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to suspend gas to the industrial, fertiliser, power and cement sectors in the month of January, to ensure smooth supply to domestic consumers and the CNG sector.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, despite opposition from the industries and textile ministries.

Opponents of the decision argued that the government must not compromise economic considerations over political ones, but found little support, officials at the meeting told The Express Tribune.

The suspension to key economic sectors comes as thousands of people rally against low gas pressure at homes and chronic supply suspension to fuel stations in all major cities.

The premier spoke decisively after an hour of arguments: “We have to strike a balance because our resources are limited … and we can’t leave our people without gas in winter.”

He directed that full gas pressure should be ensured for domestic consumers in January and the agreement reached with the CNG sector be implemented, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan told the media.

The prime minister was also requested to inaugurate the Kunar Pasaki gas field near Hyderabad, which will add 100 million cubic feet (of gas) per day to the system, in the next few days.

Providing details of provincial gas production and consumption, Awan said Sindh produces 69% of the country’s total gas and consumes 41%, Balochistan produces 17% and consumes 7%, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa produces 9% and consumes 7% while Punjab produces 5% and consumes 45%.

The cabinet has formed a committee to hold talks with Sindh’s industrial sector to supply some gas to Punjab’s industry from its share during the current month, Awan added.

Power subsidy

The cabinet also decided to immediately release Rs15 billion to the water and power ministry to overcome the growing electricity shortage. Awan said the decision was part of efforts to increase power generation by at least 1,200 MW.

The cabinet directed the energy committee to review the load management plan every two days and take steps accordingly, she said, adding that the prime minister called for discouraging unscheduled load shedding.

The new subsidy will be in addition to Rs10 billion already granted to the power sector.

Bureaucrats’ assets 

The cabinet also directed the ministry of law and parliamentary affairs to vet a draft private bill aimed at making it binding on all civil and military bureaucrats to publicly declare their assets every year, as parliamentarians do.

“Every one who receives a salary from the government, whether from judiciary, armed forces or any other department, will be bound to declare his assets and make them public,” Awan said.

The cabinet made this decision while discussing the civil servants’ private member bill moved by Dr Donya Aziz and seven other parliamentarians, she added.

The minister said that every civil servant submits details of assets yearly but that information would now be made public.

(Read: The gas fix)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2012.