ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has proposed that utility companies bear the cost of supplying gas to villages within a radius of 5 kilometers of a gas field subject to the approval of Council of Council Interests (CCI).

Sources said the Ministry also stated in working papers put up for the next CCI meeting that the cost for those in location criteria above a 5 kilometer radius may be borne by the gas producing provinces.

Sources further stated that in the past cost of such projects was picked by the federal government through the Public Sector Development Programme but now such schemes have been discontinued in the PSDP and now it is difficult to carry on these schemes. The CCI meeting is overdue since June 22 as the last meeting was held in March 25.

An official on condition of anonymity said “we have informed the Prime Minister’s office that the meeting is overdue and some agenda items proposed by provinces and Ministries need to be taken up.”

The Balochistan government has also moved a working paper for CCI meeting with respect to the energy crisis in the province. Sources said the provincial government has reminded in the working papers that a decision for upgradation of transmission lines was promised in the energy policy; however, the province continues to face poor transmission lines. The Balochistan government has reportedly drawn the attention of the federal government towards a shortfall of 1500MW electricity in the province.

Sources maintained that Balochistan wants to bring the issue to CCI after exhausting other forums and wants speedy completion of transmission lines from Dera Ghazi Khan to Loralai and Dadu to Khuzdar.

Sources said there is a possibility of census issues also being brought before the CCI especially after Supreme Court took notice and sought a response from the government within two weeks.