The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared the extra nine per cent General Sales Tax on CNG as unlawful, adding that the government should not be taking back the given subsidy to electricity consumers, as reported by a private news channel.
The apex court issued the ruling in a case regarding the electric load shedding , illegal CNG stations and the prices of petroleum products.
The court said there should be undisrupted supply of electricity and the matter could be solved if the officials concerned take proper interest, adding that if load shedding seems inevitable then the distinction between urban and rural areas must be ended.
Moreover, the court reflected that a new system and techniques should be introduced such as using smart metres while also countering the loss of electricity by line loss.
The decision issued by the SC also said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) must assess the prices of petroleum according to the international market and issue a reviewed notification in this regard within seven days.