SC refuses relief to IGL on petroleum regulator issue

The SC refused to give relief to Indraprastha Gas Ltd challenging oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board's authority to invite public bids for gas distribution in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to give relief to Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) challenging oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board's (PNGRB's) authority to invite public bids for gas distribution in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

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IGL also challenged the Delhi High Court's interim order that refused to stay the public bids invited by the PNGRB for retailing CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas in the city.

A Vacation Bench headed by Justice B Sudershan Reddy dismissed as withdrawn IGL's plea alleging that the government had not given the regulator explicit powers to authorise private entities to distribute gas.

Stating that the PNGRB was created by a statute and had no powers to give such authorisation, the petition said that the High Court failed to see that the board had "illegally" proceeded with the bid.

Seeking to stay the bidding process, for which the last date of submission is June 25, IGL stated that the PNGRB is issuing letters of intent to companies under the self-made Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Authorising Entities to Lay, Build, Operate or Expand City Gas Distribution Networks) Regulations 2008.