Govt says fertiliser, power cos to get priority in gas supply

[K.Karthik Raja]

Govt says fertiliser, power cos to get priority in gas supply
Wednesday, May 28
.
NEW DELHI - The empowered group of ministers on gas use policy
today
decided to accord top priority to fertiliser and power sectors for
natural gas
supplies, Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj and Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilas
Paswan,
both members of the group, said.
"Fertiliser and power have been given top priority, followed by
petrochemicals," Paswan told reporters after the meeting.
He said fertiliser companies will get 43.169 mmscmd gas in the
current
financial year for running their units.
"The fertiliser sector was getting 29 mmscmd has last year as
against the
requirement for 43.169 mmscmd. Now the entire quantity will be made
available," he said.
Paswan had Tuesday said the sector's demand for gas is expected to
increase to 91 mmscmd over the next three years as more fertiliser
capacity is
added, and that the petroleum ministry has promised the higher
requirement
will be fulfilled on a priority basis.