...But it's more likely Sarraf heading to PNGRB

Vol 20, PW 25 (07 Sep 17) People & Policy

Despite lobbying for an extension as ONGC chairman DK Sarraf is more likely to end up as chairman of the PNGRB.

"Sarraf has been lobbying for an extension for the past two-three months," confirms an ONGC director and colleague. "But he is not getting it!" An oil ministry source reconfirms this, telling us a file confirming Sarraf's appointment as the next PNGRB chief has gone for mandatory vigilance clearance (a formality) after which it will reach the desk of oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan who will choose one of three shortlisted names that will then be communicated to the PMO for approval.

"It's almost certain," adds another ministry source. "Sarraf's file will be cleared as soon as the PM becomes available - between 8th and 10th September." Narendra Modi, currently in China for the BRICS summit, heads to Myanmar before returning to Delhi.

If appointed, Sarraf will become the second ex-ONGC director at the PNGRB. His former colleague and ex-OVL director finance Satpal Garg joined as Member on July 27 (2017).

S. Rath, former director (operations) at Oil India is also expected to join as a Member in the days ahead.

B. Mohanty, until now the sole surviving (sitting) Member, ended his five-year stint on August 14.

By September 4, Garg was the only Board sitting Member, which under PNGRB rules needs at least three Members to hold a meeting.

If as expected Sarraf and Rath join the Board, whose principal remit is to regulate the downstream gas sector, in particular CGD, will for the first time be dominated by upstream E&P veterans, a move that's causing a mixture of concern and surprise. "I'm not saying their selection is wrong," says a source. "But they'll need to spend time learning about the powers of the Board, its functions and the retail gas business. And in the meantime decision-making will suffer." Some say this reflects just how little the government values the regulator. "The Board has become a parking space for retired chairmen and directors," says another source, contemptuously. Others speculate the appointment of E&P professionals is deliberate, part of a long-term plan for the PNGRB to absorb or take over the DGH, which unlike the PNGRB has no legal powers, only advisory. Look no further than a May 6, 2016 report by parliament's Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas which recommends just this. When contacted, a senior DGH source said he was unaware of any moves to merge with the PNGRB.

...But it's more likely Sarraf heading to PNGRB

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