Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain came under fire in the Senate on Saturday as the Upper House took strong exception to the minister’s announcement about increase in the prices of petroleum products four days before the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA)’s determination of the rates for the next month.
While it is OGRA’s mandate to determine the prices of petroleum products at the end of every month, the minister announced the increase in fuel prices before time ostensibly to favour the oil marketing companies which would surely reduce the supply to earn billions of rupees when the prices jump. Though the oil marketing companies monitor the fluctuation of price in the international market and control the supply accordingly, the minister’s announcement that the prices would increase by Rs 5 per litre will certainly benefit them and further burden the consumers particularly in the areas where compressed natural gas (CNG) is not available. Apart from the scathing criticism from senators from both the treasury and opposition benches, Law Minister Maula Bakhsh Chandio termed Hussain’s announcement “illegal”. Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Chandio said the petroleum minister’s statement about the proposed increase in petroleum products’ prices would benefit hoarders.
He said it was not the government that was empowered to increase the prices of petroleum products, it was OGRA’s authority to take decisions in this regard.
The law minister said Hussain should not have made the announcement before time. “I cannot endorse the statement of the petroleum minister about increase in the POL prices,” he said. Chandio said the joint sitting of parliament could be called in the first week of February, adding that the accountability bill would be brought in consultation with all political parties.
Earlier, speaking on a point of order, Senator Ishaq Dar of the PML-N said the petroleum minister’s statement about hike in POL prices five days before the scheduled announcement would help hoarders of petroleum products. Dar said it was OGRA’s job to announce the POL prices every month. The PML-N parliamentarian said the petroleum minister should be asked to explain his statement. Meanwhile, the Senate deferred The Private Power and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2011 until January 31 for further deliberation. The bill was moved by Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar for establishment of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board.
Senator Ahmed said the bill had not been drafted by keeping the 18th Amendment in mind. He was of the view that objectives of the 18th Amendment were not taken into consideration before moving the bill.
