The Cabinet Division has approached the Prime Minister to refer the case of misconduct of the Chairman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), Tauqeer Sadiq, to Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for appropriate action. Tauqeer is accused of defying the instructions of the federal government to restore powers of Member, Gas, and role in illegal relocation of CNG stations' sites.
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Secretariat, a copy of which is available with Business Recorder, the Cabinet Division said: "Chairman Ogra is not only in defiance of government instructions but has also violated Ogra Ordinance which warrants some action as envisaged in section 3 (11) of Ogra Ordinance 2002". Section 3 (11) of Ogra Ordinance 2002 allows FPSC chairman to probe any misconduct.
The present Member, Gas, was appointed on August 17, 2010, after completion of due process. However, he has been allowed to deal with natural gas only. "The duties relating to CNG and LPG are still being performed by Member, Finance, and under Ogra Ordinance, 2002 the three members are supposed to deal with all cases relating to their respective fields," the letter added.
In order to streamline the affairs of Ogra, a meeting was held on October 13, 2010, in the office of Cabinet Secretary. The meeting was chaired by the Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs with Cabinet Secretary, Ogra Chairman and Senior Joint Secretary.
Ogra Chairman was again urged to restore all powers of Member, Gas. Cabinet Division says that although Ogra Chairman has withdrawn the impugned order dated 19 May, 2010 yet the functions relating to CNG and LPG have not been assigned to Member, Gas, till date. "The decision of the meeting has not therefore been implemented by Ogra Chairman. Ogra Chairman is not only in defiance of government instructions but has also violated Ogra Ordinance which warrants some action as envisages in section 3(11) of Ogra Ordinance, 2002," the letter maintains.
In addition, the Prime Minister's Secretariat vide their U.O. No JS(SP)/Misc/NA-186/52/DS(SP-II)/10, dated 11th February 2010, directed Ogra to formulate a rational policy for change of sites of CNG stations for existing licences to cover unforeseen circumstances.
However, former Member (Gas) and Member (Oil) had some reservations that the re-location of CNG stations would have implications. Upon this, the Prime Minister Secretariat vide U.O. No JS(SP)/Misc/NA-186/52/DS(SP)/10, dated the 15-4-2010, directed that Cabinet Division may conduct an inquiry into the matter. Ogra Chairman was accordingly asked to investigate the entire case and submit a comprehensive report.
"Ogra Chairman appointed an outsider to conduct the inquiry and Member (Gas) objected to the designation of an outsider as an inquiry officer," the letter says, adding that meanwhile Ogra Chairman curtailed the powers of Member (Gas) and Member (Oil) vide Ogra's letter No Ogra-14(3)/2010-SBR, dated 19 May, 2010, and directed junior officers to submit their cases directly to the Chairman.
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