The country was losing an estimated Rs 60 billion annually on account of Unaccounted for Gas (UfG) losses. According to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority annual report 2013-14 on the networks of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), gas worth Rs 60 billion was stolen per annum.
The report further said that 300 Million Cubic Feet per Day (mmcfd) gas was going unaccounted for on the networks of both the gas utilities, which is sufficient enough to produce at least 1,500 megawatts of cheap electricity.
One percent UfG causes Rs 6 billion loss to national kitty. Both the gas utilities have failed in controlling UfG losses over the years and due to gas theft consumers are forced to pay the price, the report added.
The authority has warned the gas utilities if they failed to improve their performance, the regulator may impose heavy fines as well as cancel their licenses.
To deal with the gas theft, the government has already approved the establishment of Gas Utility Tribunals (GTUs) at all provincial capitals. "The informer of the gas theft will get 5 percent of the fined amount as reward, besides special award. Majorority of the consumers involved in gas theft are domestic consumers, while industrial and commercial consumers are also involved in gas theft. According to Petroleum Ministry officials' domestic consumers were also involved in the gas theft, but gas being stolen by them was meager as compared to industrial and commercial sectors.
As per law any person found guilty of tempering gas meters will have to face six months imprisonment and Rs 1 million fine, whereas industrial consumer found guilty of gas theft will get 10 years imprisonment and those found guilty of damaging gas pipeline will get 14 years of imprisonment.
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