|
|
|
| February 15, 2002 | Friday | Zilhaj 2, 1422 |
CNG prices raised by 10-12pc
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: CNG station owners increased fuel gas prices on Thursday, by an average of 10 to 12 per cent, attributing the raise to the BTU system.
When contacted, they justified the increase saying that the government decision of introducing the British Thermal Units (BTU) had increased the prices of the compressed natural gas (CNG).
Now every owner of the vehicle fitted with CNG kit will have to pay Rs10 to Rs15 for refilling the gas cylinder.
The CNG cylinder of 40 bars which was refilled at the rate of Rs156, will now cost Rs164. Similarly, the cylinder of 50 bars, earlier filled at Rs194, will now cost Rs 205.
The cylinders of 55 bars and 60 bars will now cost Rs226 and Rs246 respectively against the previous prices of Rs213 and Rs232.
The cylinder of 65 bars will cost Rs267 as compared to previous Rs252, and of 70 bars Rs287 against Rs271. The cylinder of 75 bars will now be available at Rs308,and of 80 bars at Rs328.
Another raise in the prices of gas is also on the cards in March when the government will make an upward revision in its rates under the IMF conditionality. The IMF had not objected to Pakistan’s government decision of not increasing the gas prices in September 2001 due to peculiar circumstances.
CNG Operators Association Chairman Tariq Malik told Dawn that owing to introduction of the BTU, one hecto metre gas was priced at Rs610 against the previous prices of Rs560. The CNG operators had no option, but to pass the burden on to consumers, he added.
He said the operators, who had been kept ignorant about the increase, decided not to pass on the burden of last one month raise to the consumers.
Mr Malik said the CNG operators were the consumer of government-owned gas producing entities, and they were entitled to be informed of any increase well in time.
He also hinted that there might be another increase in the prices of CNG fuel in the current month when the electricity bills would be received.