SSGCL Will Pay Back Over Charged Bills To The Gas Consumers Of Sindh And Balochistan
SSGCL Will Pay Back Over Charged Bills To The Gas Consumers Of Sindh And Balochistan: Although the SSGCL had over-charged its consumers in Sindh and Balochistan with a total of Rs.36 billion in the past, the SSGCL will now pay back Rs.18 billion to its consumers on the orders of federal government during the next five years as the gas utility (SSGCL) has already paid Rs.18 billion to its consumers on the order of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in a single year.
Instead of instantly paying back the over charged amount to the consumers by SSGCL, the government has ordered to clear the amount in five long years.
SSGCL is to pay back Rs.18 billion in five years because of reasons such as poor financial conditions of SSGCL, possible dent on liquidity, and also the matter that banks may decline to give loans to SSGCL.
The sources shared that the government has allowed retaining the remaining amount of Rs.18 billion in five years instead of immediate payments to the consumers on the above mentioned grounds.
The sources also told that a summary was moved through the energy ministry asking the government to allow payments of the remaining Rs.18 bn out of 36 bn to gas consumers of SSGCL in five years. And, government granted approval in this regard.
Influential shareholders of SSGCL had approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) and obtained a stay order over a decision of the OGRA regarding the ratio of gas losses and theft it (OGRA) allowed the gas utilities to charge the consumers.
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority set ‘unaccounted for gas’ (UfG)
They said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority set ‘unaccounted for gas’ (UfG) bench mark at 4.5%. And, influential shareholders approached SHC and pleaded that the previous UfG ratio should be maintained. The matter remained pending with the SHC for five years and then the honorable court made a judgment in the favor of public/consumers of SSGCL. And, SSGCL was ordered to pay back Rs36 billion to the consumers.
It is worth mentioning that SSGCL has not only over charged the consumers for five years as per the previous UFG benchmark but it has also allegedly been found sending inflated bills to its customers in the name of Passing Unregistered Gas (PUG) during the last year.
SSGC imposed the additional PUG levy without informing customers or serving any notice. The PUG levy was used to improve the company’s overall financial health.
Sindh High Court directed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Thursday to consider the cases of more than 170 contract employees for regularization within two months without discrimination and in accordance with the law and a Supreme Court judgment.
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