The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) representatives admitted before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum on Monday, that on the directives of the Prime Minister they have issued 20 new marketing licences for CNG stations. After the surprising disclosure that the government has lifted the moratorium on the new gas connections four months back, the committee which is enquiring in the flouting of rules and regulations in the award of licenses to CNG stations, directed OGRA to submit complete details on new licenses within next three days to the committee.
The meeting chaired by Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai was to discuss the issue of gas load shedding in the country especially in Punjab and federal capital territory to finalise its recommendations for the house. Briefing the committee Secretary Petroleum Ejaz Chaudhary said that the government had imposed a one year moratorium on new gas connections in April last year but after immense pressure from the industry and court orders policy directives were issued in October last year for grant of new connections for CNG, commercial, industry and residential projects. He admitted that despite the moratorium people managed to get new connections. Hanif Abbasi of PML-N asked OGRA representatives as to how many new licenses for CNG stations were issued on PM directives. On which Executive Director Gas OGRA Mohammad Yasin said there number was approximately 20. Abbasi said that PM was instrumental in making the policy and then to get approval for new licenses for cronies. Secretary Petroleum strongly denied that PM had issued any directives and said the new licences were issued under the new policy guidelines issued by the Petroleum Ministry to OGRA. However, Yasin said the policy directives were issued after approval from PM. OGRA representatives said that they had not moved any summary from lifting the moratorium and policy directives came directly to them.
The members severely criticised the government for its lack of seriousness and showed their anger that the committee was not informed about the lifting of the moratorium. Changing his stance Secretary Petroleum said that the moratorium was for a six month period and the new policy guidelines were issued after the period. He said that there was no violation of rules and every thing was done properly. OGRA representatives also changed their stance and said that the Executive Director Gas was not the appropriate person to submit replies on CNG issues as it was dealt with Executive Director CNG.
Nawab Ali Wassan of PPP said that had the committee timely decided on 462 illegal CNG station licenses the situation would not have aroused. Chairman Nakai said that the enquiry was delayed as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken over the OGRA office. He assured the members, the enquiry will be completely at the earliest as now NAB authorities have left OGRA office. Abdul Waseem of MQM said that the committee was faced with a difficult task as the Secretary Petroleum himself was admitting that he was helpless in controlling the situation as influential manage to have their way despite moratorium. He demanded that the committee should identify the influential persons who were sabotaging the important policy decisions.
The committee decided to discuss the issue of load shedding on February 28 and decided that a joint meeting will be held with the chairmen of standing committees on textiles and water and power. Earlier briefing the committee Secretary Petroleum said that the failure to develop hydel and coal sector have led to an irrational energy mix that was overtly dependent on the most affordable fuel gas. He said during the last few years the gas production has increased by seven per cent while its consumption has increased by 40 per cent per annum. He identified CNG sector as the major user of gas whose consumption has increased by 39 per cent per annum over the last few years.
