The Supreme Court (SC) has directed to keep the CNG prices pegged at the current level.
The two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, called ten-year record consisting of the CNG’s average price and post-subsidy prices and the difference in prices between domestic and industrial consumers, a private television channel reported.
In Monday’s proceedings, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) produced the details of proposed prices and the negotiations undertaken with the adamant CNG Association.
It should be mentioned here that the Petroleum Ministry proposed the gas to be hiked to Rs.78 for the region-1 and Rs.70 for region-2. However, the OGRA recommended taking up the gas prices to Rs.74 in region-1 and Rs.65 in region-2.
Justice Khawaja queried if the prices of 74 and 65 rupees is just a proposal or a decision, adding whatever happened in the past, was a mistake of the OGRA and the masses are bearing the brunt of it.
“How can the court find out that the regulator’s prices are up to the mark? A commission could be set up to determine the prices,” he remarked.
The OGRA requested the apex court to set the interim price of the CNG; however, the court turning down the plea, directed the regulating authority to maintain the present prices as it is.
Justice Khwaja said the court will definitely interfere wherever there is violation of human rights; the entire cabinet is sitting back in comfort. He directed the petroleum ministry and the OGRA to take immediate steps to steer the people out of the current crisis.
