The government has directed the gas distribution companies to create ‘cells’ for quick resolution of disputes on gas connections by protecting the interest of the companies.
The directive came from a recent meeting of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, said Energy Secretary Md Mozammel Haque Khan.
These cells, namely law cells would also expedite resolution of the cases filed against illegal gas connections, he added.
It was learnt that 43 writ petitions have been filed till April this year by the industrial
entrepreneurs against different gas distribution companies for delay in getting new gas connections.
The officials who attended the meeting held on May 6 said the companies are continuing to provide new gas connections but the process takes due to verification of documents.
A total of 1,226 cases are pending under the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited while the number of pending cases under Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited is 111 as of March, 2014.
Some 46 cases are now pending under the Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, while the number is 268 under Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited. Besides, 35 cases are also pending under Pachimanchal Gas Company Limited.
The Energy Ministry meeting was learnt to have expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress to legalize the existing illegal gas connections. It also wanted to know from the distribution companies how many new gas connections are being provided every month.
