Plundering CNG stations
By Technology Times at September 12, 2011 | 1:19 pm | PrintA- Reset A+
FEDERAL minister for petroleum and natural resources while forewarning gas consumers to be ready for a tough time next year, has made a startling revelation.
It was during a meet-the-press at the Karachi Press Club that he disclosed that CNG businesses were making enormous profit of Rs33 per kg, because they were buying gas from the OGDCL at Rs23 per kg and selling the product to hapless customers at Rs56 per kg.
The question arises as to what role the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has played in regulating the prices of gas when the CNG stations, as per minister’s own admission, are robbing the people of their hard-earned money? Why the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, the parent ministry, has failed to take stringent action against the Ogra for its failure to safeguard interests of consumers?
CNG stations by charging Rs33 kg are not only fleecing the people but are also depriving the national exchequer of considerable funds which they are saving by purchasing gas at a much cheaper price.
I hope the federal minister for petroleum, who is conscious of CNG stations’ highhandedness in overcharging consumers as well as Ogra’s complicity in the matter, would take action to rationalise the difference between purchasing and selling price.
It will bring down the consumer price of CNG immediately and save unfortunate customers from further agony.
Salwa Sarfaraz
@Karachi
