News
Monday, April 18, 2011
Govt bans new gas connections for six months
* PM directs newly appointed adviser on petroleum to revamp oil and gas sector
* Orders immediate removal of managing directors of various oil and gas companies
* All officials in Petroleum Ministry over 60 years of age or on contract will retire with immediately
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday directed Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to totally revamp oil and gas sector in a manner that helps in developing proper coordination among all the relevant institutions.
The objective of this exercise, he mentioned, is to expand the production and ensure better distribution of oil and gas among the consumers, including industries.
The prime minister was talking to Dr Asim Hussain, his newly appointed adviser on petroleum and natural resources, who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s House. Dr Asim has the status of a federal minister.
The prime minister directed that hydrocarbon vision for the next 20 years be developed in the long run, including exploration and proper utilisation of all the natural resources, including Thar Coal. He further directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to also prepare a short-term, two-year vision, to develop the existing facilities in the field of oil and gas to help resolve the problems of common man.
After a detailed meeting it was decided that all the managing directors of various oil and gas companies under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources would be immediately removed.
New board of directors of all the companies and institutions will be reconstituted under the ministry.
The minister and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources secretary will not be included in the BDs. No new gas connection will be issued in any part of the country for the next six months under any circumstances.
The Sui Northern and the Sui Southern Gas companies will jointly form LPG Distribution Company for the country. All officials in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as well as all the organisations and companies under the ministry, who have attained 60 years of age or are on contract, will retire with immediate effect.
All court cases will be vigorously pursued to remove the impediments besides collection of pending dues as well as to resolve issues of exploration and distribution of oil and gas.
The prime minister asked Dr Asim to take stern measures to ensure that the circular debt did not accumulate any further, rather it should be substantially reduced.
He also asked him to rationalise the prices of petroleum products in the near future. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk