Govt urged to announce special tariff relief package for CNG sector

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: CNG owners and dealers have urged the federal government and Prime Minister Imran Khan to announce special gas tariff relief package for neglected and corona lockdown hit CNG sector, what they called the sector is prime source of employment for many people and huge contribution public exchequer on head of various taxes, so they asked the government to immediate take steps to survive this important sector.

They, made this demand during a joint meeting of representatives of CNG station owners Associations, office bearers and dealers, held here at the chamber house on Sunday under Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Engineer Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz in chair.

The meeting was attended by All Pakistan CNG Owners Association Central Chairman, Ghayus Abdulllah Paracha, the APCNG KP Chairman Fazal Muqeem, All Pakistan Real CNG Owners Associaiton Chairman, Hamad Khan, Pervaiz Khan Khattak, Khalil ur Rehman, Badshah Wazir, Elafullah, Gulab Khan, Muhammad Zareef, Sikandar Khan, Minhajuddin, Bakhtiyar, Col (retired) Amjad Khan, Engineer Alam Khan, M Fahad Ashraf Khan along with people associated with CNG sector and office bearers of the CNG associations.

The participants demaded under the special fiscal relief package, the reduction should be made in gas tariff to rupees 780 per MMBUTU (special gas tariff) for CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rest parts of the country, resulting good parity will be maintained between CNG and petrol. They furthermore asked to charge sale tax on cost of gas only @ 17 percent, while seeking 4 percent income tax exemption as well.

Furthermore, they called to charge electricity tariff on general industrial tariff. They also demanded to allow payment of upcoming month gas bill in four equal installments in order to rescue the CNG industry in wake of coronavirus pandemic. They said the special relief financial package will not only prevent the CNG industry from further declining or closure but it will also maintain parity between CNG and petrol.

The participants said 1238 per MMBTU is currently being charged, so it should be reduced to 780 per MMBTU because the present rate is very high as compared to other industries, particularly, petroleum prices is gradually decreasing in global market so it is essential to maintain good parity between CNG and petrol under the prevailing scenario. Therefore, he stressed the need of reduction in gas tariff.

The meeting was informed that the SNGPL average cost is approximately 581 per MMBTU and country will move toward self-reliance with such initiative. He added the CNG is prime source of employments for large number of people, if the government could not pay attention to this important CNG sector then, he feared it would trigger massive unemployment in the country.

SCCI chief while speaking on the occasion said CNG is environment friendly sector and very support in eradication of environmental pollution and would also play integral role to safe foreign exchange. He furthermore maintained that besides, CNG stations, CNG plants, cylinder makers are attached with this important sector. He said the tax-revenue will be increased with enhancement of CNG sale.