What is the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

• Established: 2006, under the PNGRB Act, 2006 (Statutory body).
• Objective: Protect consumer interests, regulate entities in petroleum & natural gas sector, and promote competitive markets.
• Mandate:
  • Regulate refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum, petroleum products & natural gas.
  • Ensure adequate & uninterrupted supply across the country.
  • Excludes: Production of crude oil & natural gas.
• Functions:
  • Authorises City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks and pipelines.
  • Determines tariffs for pipelines.
  • Sets technical & safety standards.
• Structure: Chairperson + 3 Members + 1 Member (Legal); HQ: New Delhi.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Powers:
  • Adjudicate disputes among entities/persons in petroleum & natural gas sector.
  • Hear complaints, conduct inquiries/investigations.
  • Enforce compliance with retail/marketing service obligations, price display, common carrier access, etc.
  • Issue binding orders (same powers as civil court).
  • Review own decisions; appeals lie to Appellate Tribunal.
• Recent Development: Invited comments on LPG interoperability framework (like mobile number portability), enabling households to refill from any PSU distributor.