Government has reduced the safety checking fee for CNG stations and petrol pumps for strengthening the mechanism of checking installation of substandard CNG kits and cylinders in vehicles. It has also appointed third party inspectors for implementing the safety mechanism, while extending the date for depositing the fee by one month to January 31, 2012.
A statement issued by the ministry of industry said that in view of demand of ACNGA and petroleum companies and other stakeholders regard reduction in various fees charged by the Department of Explosives (DOE) has revised the fee structure.
Under the revised fees, Rs500 application scrutiny fee and Rs5,000 tyre puncture shop has been reduced to nil, kit conversion shop fee of Rs10,000 has been reduced to Rs3,000, CNG storage license reduced from Rs20,000 to Rs10,000. While the revised fee to be charged by third party inspectors for CNG filling station testing reduced from Rs40,000 to Rs25,000 and re-inspection from Rs20,000 to Rs5,000. A spokesman of OGRA said a meeting was chaired by Chairman OGRA and attended by Chairman APCNGA, officers of HDIP, OGRA and DOE was held to discuss various preventive measures to avoid occurrence of fire incidents in CNG fitted public transport. It was informed that Chairman APCNGA had submitted plan for certification of vehicles at authorised workshops and CNG stations for immediate implementation to eliminate refueling of unauthorised and substandard CNG converted public transport vehicles buses, mini-buses, vans, mini-vans. OGRA directed APCNGA to immediately nominate their diploma holders for one week training at HDIP as already conveyed to them by HDIP. APCNGA was also directed to immediately stop refueling of vehicles buses, cars, wagons, vans where cylinders are installed beneath the passenger seats or on roof top as such installation is in violation of the safety code of practice. It was informed that the licence of CNG stations will be cancelled where station was found violating the refueling procedure and standard code of practice appended with CNG Rules, 1992. APCNGA, HDIP and DOE will continue to conduct surprise inspections of CNG stations for strict compliance of the conditions of the licence to ensure public safety. In case of non-compliance, defaulter stations shall be disconnected and punitive action shall be taken against violators under the law. CNG licensees were directed to fully cooperate with APCNGA for strict compliance to ensure public safety failing which, the marketing licence granted to them by OGRA will be revoked. OGRA has disconnected 13 CNG stations which were found violating the refueling procedure and standard code of practice as a part of ensuring public safety at large.
