SCCI demands special relief package

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president, Engineer Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz has demanded of the government to announce special economic relief package for coronavirus-hit CNG sector.

SCCI chief made this demand, during a meeting with a delegation of owners and dealers of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations, which held here at the chamber house on Wednesday. The owners demanded 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.

The CNG owners 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.

Maqsood Pervaiz while speaking on the occasion 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.

He informed 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 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.