Resumption of gas supply: textile industry takes a sigh of relief
December 23, 2010
RECORDER REPORT
Textile industry took a sigh of relief with resumption of gas supply from the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL), playing tactfully with industry's sentiments by delaying gas supply despite clear-cut instructions from the Prime Minister.
It may be noted that the Chairman APTMA Gohar Ejaz was bursting out furiously a day earlier when the SNGPL flouted the directions of the Prime Minister and abstained from resuming gas supply to textile industry.
He warned the SNGPL authorities of taking the issue to the public in case it failed to dishonour the joint understanding between the PM and the Chief Minister Punjab.
This threat worked accordingly and the SNGPL officials resumed gas supply from Tuesday night onwards.
It is also worth noting that the Punjab political leadership had taken strong exception to the disconnection of gas supply to the industry in Punjab.
The PML-N chief had warned that the step motherly attitude towards Punjab would cost heavily to the centre.
Meanwhile, the CM Punjab had also reacted strongly and termed it a conspiracy against the Punjab government.
Resultantly, the PM convened an emergency meeting in Islamabad where the Chairman APTMA made a detailed presentation on the gas supply situation for industry in Punjab, followed by an immediate instructions from the PM for early resumption of gas supply for five days a week to the textile industry in Punjab.
However, the SNGPL authorities still hesitated in following the instructions in letter and spirit, causing furious response from the Chairman APTMA.
The industry sources said the SNGPL resumed gas supply to the textile industry throughout the Punjab and the situation was quite impressive by Wednesday evening.
It may be noted that the textile industry has already experienced gas disruption for 100 days during summer and another 36 days during winter.
The textile industry fears heavy losses in case the government failed to ensure an equitable distribution of gas to the industry in Punjab.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2010
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