ISLAMABAD: Taking cognizance of artificial increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has directed marketing companies to publish their respective price for convenience of the general public.
The Authority has directed the licensee LPG marketing companies to increase their sale-points or certified distributors in order to facilitate the end-users. OGRA has also required the companies to adhere to their license
conditions and make their dealers and distributors to follow the procedures and price notifications.
A meeting urgently convened at the Authority office here decided to launch a comprehensive campaign against decanting of the LPG which is an illegal business. The Authority has asked both the LPG companies and the local
administration to go against decanting in collaboration.
The representatives of the LPG marketing companies briefed the meeting that sudden increase in the demand typical of the winter season was exploited by certain profiteers.
The Authority has warned the LPG marketing companies that strict action would be taken against the defaulting company or its distributor. Repeated violation could face maximum punishment that amounts to revocation of
license of a marketing company.
It is relevant to mention here that the Authority has already fined at least 17 LPG marketing companies that were found involved themselves or their distributors in unfair practices with regards to prices.
A spokesman of the Authority said that certain inspection teams were still out in the field that could pay any surprise visit to some LPG marketing company or its distributor whether a complaint or otherwise.
To a question the spokesperson said OGRA cannot determine the price of the LPG as it is the deregulated business but the companies are suppose to notify their respective reasonable price and distributors are supposed tofollow that. Overcharging could cost a distributor to lose dealership of a company.
