The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) on April 25, 2024, issued the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Guiding Principles for Declaring City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Networks as Common Carrier or Contract Carrier) Regulations, 2024.
This shall come into force on April 25, 2024.
The following has been stated namely: -
• It aims to protect consumer interests, foster fair trade and competition, promote competition, avoid infructuous investment, and maintain or increase supplies of natural gas while ensuring equitable distribution and adequate availability to consumers.
• It states that it shall apply to an authorized entity after the completion of the exclusivity period specified in the Authorization Letter of an authorized area, exempting it from the purview of a common carrier or contract carrier.
• It specifies that the authorized entity shall be granted two kinds of Exclusivity;
o for laying, building, or expansion of the CGD network; and
o in terms of an exemption from the purview of the contract carriage or common carrier for a limited period.
• It mentions that the Board, before declaring a CGD Network as Common Carrier or Contract Carrier, shall provide an opportunity for authorized entities to be heard, forming its opinion within fifteen days from the date of the hearing.
• It specifies that “The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Guiding Principles for Declaring City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Networks as Common Carrier or Contract Carrier) Regulations, 2020” shall stand repealed.
[Notification no. - PNGRB/Auth/1-CGD(16)/2020 (Vol-II) (E-4599)]
