Gujarat bought 1,442.06 mmscm gas from PSUs in 2008-09

The Gujarat government today said that the Gujarat State Petroleum Corp has purchased 1,442.06 million metric standard cubic metre (mmscm) gas in 2008-09 and 10.82.68 mmscm in the current year till January 31, from Gail, IOC and BPCL.

In a written reply to a question asked by Congress MLA Rajendrasinh Parmar in the ongoing Assembly session, the state government has provided details like rates and quantum of gas purchased from the Centre's PSUs.

As per the details, GSPC bought 939.04 mmscm from Gail India, 334.53 mmscm from IOCL and 168.49 MMSC from BPCL in FY'09 with average per SCM rate at Rs 9.93.

In 2009-10, till January 31, GSPC bought 704.63 mmscm from Gail, 254.28 mmscm from IOCL and 123.68 from BPCL with average per SCM rate at Rs 11.07.

However, the Opposition party hit out at the Narendra Modi government for selling CNG at Rs 29.75 per kg while its production cost is around Rs 16.21 per kg.

"The government has allowed GSPC and its subsidiaries to make huge profit by selling gas with substantial margin," said Siddharth Patel, Dabhoi MLA and state Congress President.

Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil also said that if the VAT and profit margin are reduced by the state government, the gas can be provided at significantly reduced rate.