Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Latest News

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) recently invited stakeholder and consumer comments on an LPG interoperability framework that would allow households to draw refills from distributors of other PSU oil companies, similar to mobile number portability.

About Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

• It is a statutory body established under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act 2006.
• Objective: To protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas and to promote competitive markets and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It has also been mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas, excluding the production of crude oil and natural gas, so as to ensure an uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas in all parts of the country.
• PNGRB authorises the CGD networks, natural gas and petroleum product pipelines, determines tariffs, lays down the technical and safety standards, etc.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• The Board has its seat in Delhi.
• The Board consists of 1 Chairperson, 3 members, and 1 Member (Legal).

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Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Powers

• The Board shall have jurisdiction to 
  • Adjudicate upon and decide any dispute or matter arising amongst entities or between an entity and any other person on issues relating to refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas, unless the parties have agreed for arbitration;
  • Receive any complaint from any person and conduct any inquiry and investigation connected with the activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas on contravention of-
    • Retail service obligations;
    • Marketing service obligations;
    • Display of retail price at retail outlets;
    • Terms and conditions subject to which a pipeline has been declared as a common carrier or contract carrier or access for other entities was allowed to a city or local natural gas distribution network, or authorisation has been granted to an entity for laying, building, expanding, or operating a pipeline as a common carrier or contract carrier, or authorisation has been granted to an entity for laying, building, expanding or operating a city or local natural gas distribution network;
    • Any other provision of this Act or the rules or the regulations or orders made thereunder.
• While deciding on a complaint, the Board may pass such orders and issue such directions as it deems fit or refer the matter for investigation.
• Decisions of the Board are binding on parties of dispute. The Board’s orders are enforceable, as the powers vested are the same as in a civil court.
• The Board has powers to review its own decisions by way of a Review petition. The decision can be challenged by way of an appeal in the Appellate Tribunal.

Source: TH