Oil Ministry and its PSUs lack seriousness in setting up CBG projects: Parliament panel .

The parliamentary standing committee on petroleum and natural gas has come down heavily on the Oil Ministry and its PSUs for showing “lack of seriousness” in setting up compressed biogas (CBG) projects in the country.

In a strong response, the committee said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) failed to prevail upon its PSUs to set up CBG projects, which is important for demonstrating the viability of such projects and instilling confidence in investors, despite the same being recommended.

“The committee are not happy with this lack of seriousness being exhibited by the Ministry and Oil and Gas PSUs. Besides, the committee are concerned to note that the Ministry have not shown any interest to issue orders to Oil and Gas PSUs for investing in creating and maintaining infrastructure for promotion of CBG projects which create a doubt that the Ministry itself is sceptical about the viability and success of the CBG projects,” it said.

The panel emphasised that unless Oil and Gas PSUs “shed their reluctance” and come forward in investing in a few CBG projects, it will be difficult to persuade private entrepreneurs and investors to come forward and invest in the CBG sector.

The report is on the action taken by the government on recommendations made in the 17^th Report (17^th Lok Sabha) of the standing committee on petroleum and natural gas on review of implementation of CBG (SATAT), which was placed in Parliament on December 21, 2022.

The government’s Action Taken Replies were received on April 20, 2023, and the panel considered and adopted the report on July 27, 2023, which was then placed in Parliament on August 1.

HBL