Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : President Restaurants Caterers Sweets and Bakers Association Muhammad Farooq Chaudhry said that about 20 million people are associated with the food industry of Pakistan.The business community and common citizens have been severely affected by gas prices for the past one year.Last year too, gas prices for commercial consumers were increased by 110%.However, it is being told by Sui Gas Department that further increase in gas prices is required to transfer their salaries to UFG and RLNG.We reject this proposed addition in its entirety.
President Restaurant Caterers Sweets and Bakers Association Muhammad FarooQ Chaudhry told reporters on his return from the hearing that he along with Chairman Association Mumtaz Ahmed participated in the hearing held by OGRA regarding needle gas tariff at needle gas head office Lahore.The hearing was conducted by Chairman OGRA Masroor Khan along with Member Oil Zainul Abidin and Member Finance Naeem Ghori.Representing the food sector, President Restaurant Caterers Sweets and Bakers Association Muhammad FarooQ Chaudhry and Chairman Mumtaz Ahmed said in their arguments that about 200 million people are associated with the food industry of Pakistan, as well as common people who are part of the needle gas department.All these people have been severely affected by gas prices over the past year. Last year too, gas prices for commercial consumers were increased by 110%.Despite the fact that Sui Gas Department is telling us that further increase in gas prices is required to transfer their salaries to UFG and RLNG, we completely reject this proposed increase.The question is also why things could not improve despite the 110% increase last year.For the sake of a few hundred employees of the needle gas department, the common Pakistani who is currently craving for two-time food.Why are they being burdened so much? President Association Muhammad FarooQ Chaudhry said that we had put some things and facts in front of you in the previous hearings as well, but unfortunately, no work could be done on them by the department, due to which Minsk commercial consumers from the food sector Thousands of connections have been disconnected, similarly, no checking is done by the department regarding UFG due to which not only gas is being stolen but also a large amount of gas is being wasted due to leakage. All the burden of which is being put on the common consumers, if the department continues to be negligent in this way, God willing, like the PIA, the privatization of needle gas department may also happen, which will be a sad process. It was said that in the same way, bills of millions of rupees are being sent by the department in the name of fault volume and in the name of additional security, which is equivalent to complete cruelty and injustice. should be removed and proper work should be done on it by forming teams so that not only the department can improve but commercial consumers can also get substantial relief, President Association Muhammad FarooQ Chaudhry further said that just like the needle gas department A special protected tariff has been introduced for tandoors and till date their tariff has not been increased, similarly relief should be provided to other commercial consumers and uninterrupted supply of gas should be ensured in winter so that people can continue their business.