applications were submitted manually before May 2010 at SNGPL offices in different areas. In June 2010, the company introduced a computerised method of filing applications. However, the manually-filed applications were not entertained and remained unattended in the respective offices. The official also disclosed that it was government directives to them to delay issuance of demand notices for new gas connections on regular fee. He said that the government also directed them to insist consumers to apply for gas connections on ‘urgent basis’ after payment of urgent fee of Rs25,000 along with Rs5,000 or Rs6,500 as demand note charges.
The SNGPL official said that there was no chance of entertaining the pending applications, adding that since the company was not giving new connections, the applications would not be possibly addressed in the coming years. The recently introduced computerised system for filing applications is not working properly either. The applicants have to wait for hours to file a single application. “The computer system seldom works and only a few applications are accepted. The computerisation of record had created problems for consumers,” the official said.
According to official standards, the SNGPL issues a demand note six weeks after receiving the application and tells the applicant to deposit the required amount in the bank. After receiving the money, the gas connection is approved and the company is bound to install a gas meter on the consumer’s premises. However, this procedure is not followed and consumers have to wait for more than three to four years.
On the directions of the government, SNGPL charges higher connection fee (Rs25,000) instead of the existing fee of Rs3,000 for provision of new connections to domestic consumers. The decision had been taken on a petition filed by SNGPL, saying that demand for new gas connections had increased manifold in recent years despite increasing gas shortfalls in the country. The company claimed that domestic gas connections resulted in higher system losses and, therefore, the facility should be given only to those consumers who were ready to pay higher connection charges which will increase cash flow to the gas company. In the light of all these reasons, helpless public is facing worst kind of problems in getting gas connections for domestic use.
During a visit to the SNGPL offices, it was witnessed that those having grievances are not allowed to meet high officials, both in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Talking to ‘The News,’ helpless people said that SNGPL officers only entertain MPAs, MNAs and other influential people.