February 18, 2003	Tuesday	Zul Hijjah 16, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) would decide on Tuesday whether to grant Rs5.6638 per thousand cubic feet increase in prescribed price of natural gas to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

An announcement of the OGRA said that it has already admitted a petition filed by SNGPL seeking increase in its prescribed price to meet the shortfall in its revenue requirement for the financial year 2002-03.

The increase in SNGPL’s prescribed price would reduce the federal government’s revenue it collected as gas development surcharge (GDS). The government could increase the tariff for gas consumers to maintain its GDS share which ultimately goes to the gas producing province.

The OGRA said it would hold public hearing of the SNGPL’s petition on Tuesday in which around a dozen interveners would oppose the proposed increase in prescribed price.

The general public would also be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and submit their comments about their difficulties and the working of the gas company.