THIS is with reference to the report `Gas shortage, ban on new connections to stay for years, Senate told` (Jan 18). Natural gas is a basic source of energy and a need for everyone. In the wake of gas shortage, a black market has emerged dealing with the supply and sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The government has placed no checks and balances on illegal gas-filling shops.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had set Rs204/kg as LPG price for the month of January through its notification, but illegal vendors kept selling it for between Rs260 and 290 as winter got more severe. The huge difference between the official andmarket prices is only getting bigger.
Moreover, these gas refilling shops have no gadgets to check the quality and standard of gas cylinders. Illegal refilling risks human life and property, and causes major accidents. It is evident that the government has no control over this black market.
If the government cannot overcome gas shortages and cannot provide new connections for many years, it must provide the citizens with an alternative solution. The government must regulate the LPG refilling business with proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place, and must keep a strict check on the pricing mechanism in the market.
