Ministry asks oil regulator to act as one hand
Petroleum Ministry took potshots at the regulator asking it to act collectively in the interest of the sector.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Amid reports of a 'revolt' by members of oil regulator against "autocratic" rule of the Chairman, Petroleum Ministry took potshots at the regulator asking it to act collectively in the interest of the sector.
Last week three members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board revolted against L Mansingh by condemning his "autocratic" functioning and demanded a say in framing of regulations.
Today at the inauguration of PNGRB's newly renovated office, Petroleum Secretary said, "The Board must act as a collective body for the healthy growth of the sector."
With reports of Chairman sidelining members in framing of key regulation pouring in, the Ministry had on June 19 asked PNGRB to explain the decision making process.
"For the sake of its credibility and orderly operations the Board must act as one hand. There must be coordinated and mission style functioning (of the Board)," Srinivasan said.
He has not accepted the Oil Ministry's contention that IGL had been authorised for operations in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad before the appointment of PNGRB and asked the company to freeze its activities.
This led to the ministry issuing a directive to the Board under Section 42(2) of the PNGRB Act of 2006 that provides for the government issuing directive to the regulator.
Mansingh on his part, stated "the ministry and the regulator much appreciate each other's role."
Last week three members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board revolted against L Mansingh by condemning his "autocratic" functioning and demanded a say in framing of regulations.
Today at the inauguration of PNGRB's newly renovated office, Petroleum Secretary said, "The Board must act as a collective body for the healthy growth of the sector."
With reports of Chairman sidelining members in framing of key regulation pouring in, the Ministry had on June 19 asked PNGRB to explain the decision making process.
"For the sake of its credibility and orderly operations the Board must act as one hand. There must be coordinated and mission style functioning (of the Board)," Srinivasan said.
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Mansingh has come under attack for his stand on the legality of incumbent CNG retailers like Indraprastha Gas (IGL), which, according to him, was not authorised to retail CNG to automobiles or piped cooking gas to households in the national capital region where new players like Adani want to get a foothold. He has not accepted the Oil Ministry's contention that IGL had been authorised for operations in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad before the appointment of PNGRB and asked the company to freeze its activities.
This led to the ministry issuing a directive to the Board under Section 42(2) of the PNGRB Act of 2006 that provides for the government issuing directive to the regulator.
Mansingh on his part, stated "the ministry and the regulator much appreciate each other's role."
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