IGL alleges PNGRB driven by vested lobbies

City gas distributor Indraprastha Gas (IGL) today alleged that PNGRB is driven by private vested lobbies to whom the regulator awarded licenses to retail gas without having any authority.

During the proceedings in the Delhi High Court, IGL submitted that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was driven by private operators and the regulator is flouting all norms.

"The board instead of regulating the market price and sector, are driven by the market forces," IGL said and added that it was visible in its ongoing dispute with it over distribution rights to retail CNG in Ghaziabad.

It further submitted that when on Friday the court declined to allow Adani group to intervene and to become a party in its ongoing dispute for licence of Ghaziabad, the PNGRB the same day evening opened the bid.

"When the court refused Adani to implead in the matter, then in the evening PNGRB opened the bid and declared it to be the lowest bidder," he said, adding that it all happened despite board's assurance before the court that it would not proceed in the the issue.

Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General A S Chandioke appearing for the government submitted that the PNGRB delegating powers for granting licences to its Chairman is not permissible under the rules of PNGRB Act.

"There can not be delegation of power in PNGRB. The entire board has to decide on it," said ASG.