M A I N   N E W S

Govt to set up panels on CNG infrastructure

New Delhi, April 10
The government will set up two committees to expedite setting up of infrastructure for CNG dispensation in the Capital and will hold consultations within the NDA and with Opposition parties over bringing of a Bill to allow use of multiple fuels in the country.

These decisions were arrived at a 75-minute meeting between Petroleum Minister Ram Naik and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to discuss the CNG crisis arising out of the withdrawal of about 5,500 diesel buses following the imposition of heavy fine by the Supreme Court.

“It has been decided that two committees will be set up — one headed by Lieut-Governor Vijai Kapoor to oversee expeditious land acquisition and laying of gas pipeline in Delhi and another headed by Petroleum Secretary P. Chaturvedi to monitor progress of setting up of infrastructure for the CNG,” Ms Dikshit told reporters here.

Mr Naik said the April 5 Supreme Court order had implications beyond Delhi as the apex court asked the government to make available the CNG for transport systems in nine other cities.

“As this has now become a policy issue whether we should allow use of multiple fuels or single fuel for public transport, we will hold consultations within the ruling NDA and opposition parties and state governments on the issue,” he said while indicating that the national auto fuel policy so drafted would be on lines of the Mashelkar Committee report.

Stating that the infrastructure available was not commensurate to the demands of the CNG, Mr Naik said the Centre, Delhi Government and Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) would file review petition by May 9 in the Supreme Court apprising it of the problems.

To a question on bringing an ordinance for allowing the use of multiple fuel, Ms Dikshit said, “It is not our responsibility nor does it fall in the ambit of our powers. Transport is a state subject but fuel policy is responsibility of the Centre.” PTI