The Hindu : National : Rajya Sabha nod for Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Bill

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Monday, Mar 06, 2006

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National

Rajya Sabha nod for Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Bill

Special Correspondent

Warns against those indulging in adulteration

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha has approved the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Bill 2005, seeking to set up a regulator for downstream petroleum and natural gas activities.

Approved by voice vote

The Bill was approved by voice vote on Thursday after Petroleum Minister Murli Deora assured the members that action would be initiated against those indulging in adulteration of petroleum products.

He blamed it on the price differential between naphtha and kerosene, used as adulteration agents for petrol and diesel.

Mr. Deora attributed the frequent increase in the prices of diesel, petrol and liquefied petroleum gas to the global price hike. On the composition of the proposed regulatory board, he said the members' suggestions that there should be experts, not retired bureaucrats, on it would be "considered."

Members also wanted the regulator to be accountable to Parliament.

No boundaries

There were no "geographical boundaries" for natural gas, which would be distributed throughout the country, he said.

On issues such as short supply of LPG and gas connections and irregularities in retail petrol supply, raised by members, written replies would be sent.

However, CPI(M) MP Dipankar Mukherjee's suggestion that the Bill be sent to the Standing Committee for consideration of the new amendments was rejected.

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