PIPED GAS SUPPLY PLAN FOR12 DISTRICTS SUBMITTED TO PNGRB

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)July,18, Piped gas supply plan for12 districts submitted to PNGRB CM wants plan to be speeded up, cover remaining dists too PNGRB thanked for introduction of regional tariffs on gas transportation HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister Dr.K.Rosaiah today asked the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to speed up the process for piped cooking gas distribution in Andhra Pradesh. Dr Rosaiah said the State Government has already prepared its distribution plan for 12 districts and submitted the Expression of Interest (EoI) with the PNGRB. The Chief Minister said when the gas is abundantly available in the Krishna-Godavari basin; there should be no problem in supplying piped gas to the domestic and other consumers in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister today reviewed the piped gas distribution position with the Chief Secretary, Mr.S.V.Prasad; Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr.B.Sambob and top officials of A.P.Gas Infrastructure Corporation. The Chief Minister thanked the PNGRB for according differential rates of tariff of gas transmission resulting in reduced tariff for Andhra Pradesh. "The Government of Andhra Pradesh thanks the PNGRB for considering the long pending demand of the State Government for reduction of gas transportation tariff. The reduced tariff will help increased use of gas in the State and establishment of more industries here", Dr. Rosaiah said. While appreciating the support of the PNGRB, which is the awarding and regulating gas transmission and distribution, the Chief Minister wanted to know the time schedules for various aspects of gas transmission and distribution in the State. He also requested the PNGRB to give details of the progress so far made in the laying of Pipe lines in the State. The State Government has massive plans for supply of gas in the State to all the sectors -- Domestic, Industrial, Transport, Commercial, Power Generation, Fertilizers etc. The State has already prepared its distribution plan for 12 districts and submitted Expression of Interest (EoI) with PNGRB. These 12 districts are covered with 7 proposals. These districts are Medak, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Khammam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Karimnagar and Warangal. The State Government feels that the entire district areas be included as a single unit while fixing the boundaries of that unit. It is good to have the entire district as one unit for the sake of administrative convenience. The Chairman was requested to clear all the proposals and call for Expression of Interest immediately. The Chairman, PNGRB was requested to see that the gas distribution in Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Kakinada are completed on a war footing, so as to make piped gas supply in city areas at the earliest. Further, the Chairman was requested to see that all the main trunk lines are laid covering south coasts Andhra and Rayalaseema areas. The APGIC is also preparing proposal for the remaining 10 districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur. If the agencies which are awarded the main trunk line are asked to execute the works, the APGIC will file the proposal with PNGRB immediately. Dr. Rosaiah said that this is the most important and priority item of the Government. As the gas is available closest to Andhra Pradesh, the expectation of people of the State may be kept in mind and top priority should be given to piped gas distribution in the State. The Chief Minister stressed that PNGRB should protect the interest of consumers by fostering fair trade and competition amongst the entities; register entities to market notified petroleum and petroleum products and, subject to the contractual obligations of the Central Government, natural gas; establish and operate liquefied natural gas terminals; establish storage facilities for petroleum, petroleum products or natural gas exceeding such capacity as may be specified by regulations. In respect of notified petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, the Board will ensure adequate availability; ensure display of information about the maximum retail prices fixed by the entity for consumers at retail outlets; monitor prices and take corrective measures to prevent restrictive trade practice by the entities; secure equitable distribution for petroleum and petroleum products; provide, by regulations, and enforce, retail service obligations for retail outlets and marketing service obligations for entities; monitor transportation rates and take corrective action to prevent restrictive trade practice by the entities; levy fees and other charges as determined by regulations; and maintain a data bank of information on the activities. The Chief Minister emphasized that the Board should also lay down the technical standards and specifications including safety standards in activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, including the construction and operation of pipeline and infrastructure projects related to downstream petroleum and natural gas sector and perform such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government to carry out the provisions of this Act. The officials informed the Chief Minister that the Board will have jurisdiction to adjudicate upon and decide any dispute on matters arising amongst entities or between an entity and any other person on issues relating to refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas.

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