CNG stations to strike against price reduction

Reduction in price by the government
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Khalid Iqbal

Rawalpindi

All Pakistan CNG Owners Association Wednesday announced to observe complete strike on August 15 against the government decision of fixing the new rate of CNG at Rs39.6 against previous price of Rs48.36 per kg.

The decision has been taken in an emergency meeting of All Pakistan CNG Owners Association on Wednesday.

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) issued a notification to all CNG pump owners on Wednesday to implement new rates of gas from August 15.

All Pakistan CNG Owners Association Vice-Chairman Gahyas Ahmed Paracha told �The News� that Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) did not invite members of CNG association for consultation while fixing new rates of CNG. �We reject the decision of government to sell CNG at Rs39.6,� he added.

The association directed all CNG pumps to sell gas at Rs48.36 per kg. He said that under a wrong formula government took the decision to decrease CNG prices.

He said we will not accept the decision at any cost and would go on strike for an indefinite period throughout the country. �We are getting CNG at Rs45 per kilogram including all expenses bearing the huge burden of government tax, which is up to 54 per cent. We are only getting Rs3.36 profit on selling 1-kg gas, which is not sufficient therefore we have time and again written to secretary Ministry of Petroleum and chairman OGRA for a meeting on matter of gas prices, but they have not paid heed to our demands,� he added.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) official spokesman told �The News� that the new rate of CNG has been fixed at Rs39.6 according to the directions of Ministry of Petroleum. �The new rates would be applicable from August 15 and the authority would strictly monitor all pumps to check new rates. All pumps should implement new prices of gas otherwise they would face strict action, the spokesman warned.

Talking to �The News� a CNG consumer Umar Ayub said, �The government gave us a gift on Independence Day.�

Saba Rafiq, another CNG consumer said, �Government should make sure that all CNG stations remain open on August 15 and afterwards. If they will go on strike it will be problematic for us.� �There should be mutual accommodation between government and CNG owners on price matter. The public transporters including Suzuki, taxicabs should also decrease the fares with decreasing rates of CNG at Rs39.6 against Rs48.36 per kg in the country, she added.