Bill seeks to stop gas plundering

A bill was placed in the parliament yesterday with a view to enacting a law to impose control on transmission, distribution, supply, storage and unauthorised use of gas.

Individual or organisation violating the act would be punished according to the provisions in the bill. For unauthorised use of gas or setting up CNG refuelling stations without permission or creating obstacle in gas distribution, an individual or organisation would be awarded imprisonment ranging from three months to a maximum of five years.

With imprisonment for different terms, an individual or organisation can be fined between Tk 10,000 and Tk 10 lakh for violating the law.

State Minister for Energy Power and Mineral Resources Brig Gen (retd) Mohammad Enamul Haque placed the bill, which was later sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry.

"Activities based on natural gas are increasing everyday but there is no law on transmission, distribution, supply and storage of gas and on ensuring its proper utilisation. Even after forming the energy regulatory commission, necessity for enacting a law has become imperative," the state minister said in the statement tagged with the bill.

He said enacting the law has also become a must for ensuring collection of gas bill and creating competitive market for gas with participation of individuals and private sector.

"I hope with this law enacted, the overall development in gas sector will be ensured and gas distribution to consumer level will be managed effectively," he added.

On supply and storage of gas, a provision of the bill says an individual or organisation issued licence by the energy regulatory commission can run business of gas supply and store it. But they will have to inform the commission in detail before initiating the task, said the provision.

The bill has a provision to keep the consumers from harassment by assigned officials for collecting gas bill. The provision says a consumer can file complaint with the energy regulatory commissioner if any official harassed him/her.

The proposed law empowered the energy regulatory commission to issue, renew and cancel licences for gas business. Formulating rules the commission will also fix tariff for gas transmission.

A provision in the bill says individuals with licences of the commission can set up pipelines for transmission, distribution, supply and storage of gas.