Senate Panel on Monday expressed serious concerns over failure of concerned ministries to introduce legislation aimed at increasing imprisonment and penalties relating to LPG browsers and cylinders blast, leading to series of death.

Senator Waqar Mehdi had taken up the matter in the senate house that was referred to the senate standing committee on the cabinet secretariat for consideration.

The panel has warned to introduce a private member’s bill if government is not serious to introduce legislation.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat was held under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan.

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The senate body has given a deadline of two weeks to the oil and gas regulatory authority (Ogra) and Law ministry to complete legislation to increase imprisonment and penalties relating to LPG bowsers and cylinders blast.

“ For one and a half years, it has not been decided which division will carry out the legislation,” Committee members said adding that if the government cannot do it, we will collectively introduce a private member’s bill.

The committee has recommended amendments to the OGRA Act to increase penalties.

Founder Chairman LPG Industry Association Irfan Khokhar said the manfacturers of LPG bowsers and cylinders were a powerful mafia who were causing several deaths.

“There are around over 500 factories in Gajranwala which were manufacturing substandard cylinders and bowsers were being manufactured in Lahore region,” Irfan Khokhar said calling for speedy legislation to increase imprisonment and penalities to take action against such mafia.   

The new law proposes 14 years imprisonment and fine up to Rs 15 million. It also calls for declaring non bail offence for those involved in manufacturing sub standard LPG browsers and cylinders.  

Chairman Ogra said that the regulator has issued to 400 LPG filling plants and licenses to 17 cylinder manufacturing companies.

Accidents are increasing due to the purchase of substandard cylinders,” Ogra chairman said adding that those selling substandard cylinders are responsible for death. He further added that the proposed bill will increase penalties.