Govt mulls panel for devising simple gas pricing formula
13 Jun 2014 11:31 PM GMT
The BJP-led new government may appoint an expert panel to recommend a less-complex formula for pricing of natural gas to resolve the imbroglio that has been holding up investments.
The previous UPA government had last year approved pricing of all forms of domestically produced gas at according to a formula suggested by a panel headed by C Rangarajan. This formula was to come into effect from 1 April but announcement of the new rate was deferred because of general elections.
'Rangarajan formula is too complex. It has variables that were questioned by stakeholders during the entire approval process in the previous government. This formula either needs to be simplified or replaced by a less complex one,' an official privy to the thinking in the new government said.
A new panel may be asked to look into the issue, he said adding if that happens a new price may be delayed beyond 1 July, the date oil ministry has given to Reliance Industries for implementation of new rate.
The Rangarajan pricing formula is based on the average of the prices of imported LNG into India and the weighted average of gas prices in North America, Europe and Japan in 12 months. The price of gas, according to this formula, comes to around $8.3 per million British thermal unit for April-June quarter, almost double the current price of $4.2.
However, if only LNG bought on long-term contract is kept and the purchases from volatile spot market are eliminated, as was demanded by some user ministries in the run up to the Cabinet approval, the new rate would come to $7.8, the official said.
The steep price hike of $8.3 had become controversial with CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta and an NGO filing a petition in the Supreme Court alleging that the move was for the benefit of Reliance Industries.
'There is also a view in the government that we should allow the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on the issue.Once the highest court decides on it either ways, the issue would get resolved,' he said.
The previous UPA government had last year approved pricing of all forms of domestically produced gas at according to a formula suggested by a panel headed by C Rangarajan. This formula was to come into effect from 1 April but announcement of the new rate was deferred because of general elections.
'Rangarajan formula is too complex. It has variables that were questioned by stakeholders during the entire approval process in the previous government. This formula either needs to be simplified or replaced by a less complex one,' an official privy to the thinking in the new government said.
A new panel may be asked to look into the issue, he said adding if that happens a new price may be delayed beyond 1 July, the date oil ministry has given to Reliance Industries for implementation of new rate.
The Rangarajan pricing formula is based on the average of the prices of imported LNG into India and the weighted average of gas prices in North America, Europe and Japan in 12 months. The price of gas, according to this formula, comes to around $8.3 per million British thermal unit for April-June quarter, almost double the current price of $4.2.
However, if only LNG bought on long-term contract is kept and the purchases from volatile spot market are eliminated, as was demanded by some user ministries in the run up to the Cabinet approval, the new rate would come to $7.8, the official said.
The steep price hike of $8.3 had become controversial with CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta and an NGO filing a petition in the Supreme Court alleging that the move was for the benefit of Reliance Industries.
'There is also a view in the government that we should allow the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on the issue.Once the highest court decides on it either ways, the issue would get resolved,' he said.
Next Story
