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CNG price may be hiked
By Our Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI, DEC. 11. The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, today indicated that an increase in the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) could well be in the offing from April. Indications are that a revision in the price would be undertaken by the Centre early next year when the Administrative Price Mechanism (APM) regime would cease to exist.
The Chief Minister said it was not sure what the hike would be as it has to be decided at the Central level. It has also to be kept in mind that with the hike in CNG price, what effect it will have on the consumption pattern and its viability vis-a-vis other fuels. This aspect is also being looked into by the Mashelkar Committee which is expected to submit its interim report by December 15.
Addressing a press conference here today, Ms. Dikshit said despite repeated assurances by the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and the Indraprastha Gas Limited before the Supreme Court and to the Delhi Government, the queues outside the CNG filling stations have been increasing with each day. Despite informing us that the Centre would not be able to provide CNG for more than 60,000 to 70,000 vehicles, the Ministry filed an affidavit stating that there was enough CNG but it was not being lifted.
``It is unfortunate that the Union Ministry has been saying something to us and something else to the court. They should understand the sufferings of the people of Delhi and the private operators. There should be no place for politics and efforts should be directed to redress the grievances and not score political points. I will be meeting the Union Petroleum Minister, Mr. Ram Naik, tomorrow along with the Transport Minister, Mr. Ajay Maken, and apprise him about the ground realities,'' Ms. Dikshit informed. A coordination committee was formed to ensure a collective presentation before the court. But the Centre went back on this issue also and the committee met only once or twice defeating the purpose for which it was formed.
Further, Ms. Dikshit said the Delhi Government had already made a presentation before the Mashelkar Committee for running the public transport system on CNG and Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel. The Delhi Government, she said, was concerned about the improvement in the environment.
But here we are faced with a scenario where the Centre is shirking its responsibility with regard to supply of CNG, framing of safety norms, notification of CNG norms and standards and giving a clear picture. They have promised that all queues outside the filling stations would disappear by October end. Let the IGL and Union Ministry officials go around the city and witness for themselves the long queues which they had promised would not exist, the Chief Minister added.
Mr. Maken said the Government had finalised a scheme for giving permits for routes to new CNG operators. Vacant slots in the existing scheme would be worked out and applications invited from CNG bus operators, who have registered their buses prior to September 27, for routes of their choice. Thereafter, routes would be allotted as per eligibility and available routes.
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