LAHORE: The emerging Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have expressed their concerns regarding the biasness of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) towards emerging Oil Marketing Companies.
According to the sources meeting of Oil Marketing Companies was convened by OGRA head office in which the stake holders raised their voices against the discriminatory policies regarding emerging Oil Marketing Companies.
According to reliable sources, during the meeting, an association of emerging OMC expressed its deep apprehension regarding the biased policies of the OGRA, these policies allegedly favouring large Oil Marketing Companies.
Expressing their views about OGRA representatives of the Oil Marketing Companies representatives of the emerging Oil Marketing Companies said that OGRA is focusing on safeguarding the interests of major Oil Marketing Companies.
These biased policies contradict the fundamental principles of fair competition and equal opportunities that the OGRA was established to uphold. Emerging OMCs are operating as per the law and should be given equal opportunities without any discrimination.
As the regulatory authority for all OMCs, OGRA has a responsibility to ensure a level playing field and put an end to discriminatory practices against emerging OMCs, the emerging OMCs representative demanded.
OGRA should establish policies that consider the interests of all stakeholders within the industry; however, it appears that OGRA is exhibiting bias and formulating policies to benefit only the four major Oil Marketing Companies.
The industry strongly recommended that representatives of the emerging OMC’S should be part of the consultation process of chairman OGRA.
Earlier, spokesman OGRA Imran Ghaznavi told Business Recorder that OGRA and Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) jointly hosted the meeting with Oil Industry to deliberate on many challenges highlighted by the industry.
The Authority has informed the participants that OGRA Rules & Regulation are consistent and there is no discrimination against any company or group of companies across the industry including Oil, lubricants, Natural Gas, LPG, LNG & CNG etc.
The Oil industry representatives presented the sector’s concerns and submitted proposals to deal with the challenging business environment in the country. The submissions of the Oil Industry were discussed and ample opportunity was extended to the participants to provide their input.
The matter with regard to smuggling of petroleum products from Iran was also highlighted and it was briefed that the matter has already been taken up with local governments through provincial Chief Secretaries and Federal Board of Revenue for necessary action.
OGRA has asked the industry to provide their proposals in writing with complete supporting data and assured the industry that it will attentively consider the suggestions of the sector and take up the issues with Federal Government.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023
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