SNGPL officials flouting ban on new connections

LAHORE: Despite the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited’s (SNGPL) ban on installation of new gas metres for tackling gas load shedding, the activity was continuing unchecked with SNGPL officials’ secret help, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Analysing the ever-increasing gas shortfall, the company had banned allocation of new gas connections including domestic, commercial, industrial and CNG stations and inspiring customers were informed that new connections could only be attained after March 2011 owing to a severe gas shortage, but SNGPL officials were awarding connections after getting heavy bribes.
According to SNGPL rules, a domestic connection could be obtained by depositing Rs 3,000 as security deposit and waiting for around 8 to 10 weeks before the connection was installed. For commercial connections used by restaurants and hotels, security deposit of Rs 72,000 was required. According to sources, SNGPL officials were giving connections to domestic users by taking Rs 20,000 to 25,000 as bribe and commercial connections for around Rs 40,000 to 50,000. According to sources, the ban was being openly flouted by SNGPL officials.
This winter, the SNGPL was facing a shortage of around 550 mmcf and new connections were banned owing to the shortage. According to sources, connections were installed recently at the Multan Road, Green Town, Shalimar Garden area and Harbanspura. “Both domestic and commercial connections were given and no body bothered about it,” sources said adding that bribes had increased owing to the ban.
According to sources, new gas connections were not only being awarded in Lahore but in other cities as well. They said that commercial connections were being allocated more, as more bribes were offered in this regard. When contacted, SNGPL Public Relations Officer Awais Bajwa did not comment on the issue saying that he was ill and did not have any information in this regard.