Regulate CNG prices, distributors told

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 24

Taking cognisance of the continuous protest by auto-rickshaw drivers demanding the regulation of compressed natural gas (CNG) rates in the city, the district administration has summoned city-based CNG distributors.

Presiding over a meeting with the auto-rickshaw drivers and the distributors recently, Sub Divisional Magistrate Jai Inder Singh directed J Madhok and Pal Filling Station, which are supplying CNG in the city, to regulate the prices by December 6. While giving them an ultimatum, the SDM also warned them that if the prices would not be reduced by December 6, their licence would be cancelled.

The Bhagat Singh Auto Union, while pressuring the authorities, carried out a protest march on November 18 and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner regarding the regulation of CNG rates.

Union president Ranjit Kumar said the CNG was being sold at Rs 90 per kg in the city while it was available at Rs 65 per kg in Phillaur, which is only 21 km from Jalandhar.

Owing to the dearth of CNG at filling stations in the district, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers have given up driving their auto-rickshaws.

Rakesh Verma, general secretary of the union, said: “There is only one filling station for hundreds of CNG auto-rickshaws. It sells the gas at a high rate. The other filling station, which sells the gas for Rs 65 per kg, is located near Goraya, around 40 km from the city. Hence, the administration should also verify why the gas is being sold at hefty rates in the city.”

An auto-rickshaw driver, Inderjit Singh, said due to lack of availability of required number of compressed natural gas pumps, they had to limit their work which had further reduced their earnings.