Senate Body Reviews Petition by Women on Gas Supply to their Village
Picture Credits: Associated Press of Pakistan
Islamabad September 04 (Online Int’l): The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum on Friday reviewed a public petition submitted by the women of Juman Rajper, Taluka District Naushero Feroz regarding supply of gas to their village, briefings of advantages of Euro 5 fuel and closure of PSO depot in Kohat.
The committee meeting was held at Parliament House, Islamabad. The issues that came under consideration were details of new and on-going projects of PSDP projects of Petroleum Division and present status of recommendations of meetings held on 20 January, 2020 regarding the laying of 19 Km main line from Lower Topa to Lora via Bansra.
The case of regularisation of engineers from Balochistan working at OGDCL was discussed in-camera.
While considering the Public Petition submitted by the women of Juman Rajper, Taluka District Naushero Feroz regarding supply of gas to their village, the Committee was informed that a survey had been conducted for project feasibility. The main findings were that main supply would require a 1400 km extension to reach the village. Distribution mains entail 2000 Km. The project cost is PKR 9040 million.
The per customer cost of the above scheme works out to be PKR 114, 430, which exceeds the maximum average cost per customer criterion of PKR 54000 approved by the Government of Pakistan for Sindh. The scheme could be considered for implementation if the Federal/Provincial governments and SNGPL would invest in cost criteria of PKR 4774 million in accordance with Natural Gas Allocation and Management Policy 2005.
While being briefed about the advantages of Euro 5 Fuel and its comparison to other fuel types, the Committee was informed that the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) considered the proposal for import of Euro-V Diesel/Petrolin its meeting held on 4th June, 2020. It was decided that all imports of petrol/diesel shall conform to Euro-V specifications. The Committee was informed that currently imports of petrol with Euro-V specifications have begun, whereas diesel imports will commence from January, 2021.
Chairman Committee, Senator Mohsin Aziz, lauded this measure and said that this is a major step towards environmental conservation and that Pakistan is in the right direction. He added that he would write to the Ministry on behalf of the Committee to laud this measure.
Discussing details of the closure of PSO depot in Kohat the Committee was informed that approx PKR 100 billion would be required for its revamping and it cannot begin without ECC approval. The Committee asserted that economic viability must be ensured before embarking on the project.
About the progress on the recommendation of the Committee for provision of gas to a number of areas in Hazara Division in pursuance of the Resolution of Senator M. Javed Abbasi passed by the House, the committee was informed that the total cost of the project is PKR 529.446 million in which the Government has to share the cost.
In this connection a letter has been written to the Petroleum Division for the release of funds. The Secretary informed that the case will be processed and after approval of the Minister for Petroleum, the case will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on gas development schemes. The Committee directed to expedite the case.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for latest news and updates!
PIA all set for IATA Operational Safety Audit
