Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Reg

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.
  • 2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas.
  • 3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
Statement 1: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was established under the PNGRB Act, 2006. It was not the first regulatory body in India. Several regulatory bodies were established much earlier, such as SEBI (1988/1992), TRAI (1997), and CERC (1998). Thus, Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 2: The PNGRB Act, 2006, lists the functions of the Board, which include protecting the interests of consumers and entities, ensuring the adequate availability of petroleum products, fostering fair trade, and promoting competitive markets. Section 11(h) explicitly states one of the functions is “promoting competitive markets in petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas.” Thus, Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3: The PNGRB Act, 2006, provides for appeals against the orders of the PNGRB to be filed before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). APTEL was established under the Electricity Act, 2003, to hear appeals against the orders of regulatory commissions, and its jurisdiction was extended to cover appeals against PNGRB decisions as per the PNGRB Act. Thus, Statement 3 is correct.
Based on the analysis, Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
The PNGRB is a regulatory body established in 2006 to promote competitive markets in the petroleum and natural gas sector, and appeals against its decisions go to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). It is not the first regulatory body in India.
The establishment of PNGRB aimed to regulate the midstream and downstream activities in the petroleum and natural gas sector, which were previously largely unregulated or governed by administrative orders. Its functions include regulating the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas.