PNGRB’s Inaugural National Consumer Conclave Empowers Consumers in Oil & Gas Sector

New Delhi: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) recently held its first National Consumer Conclave at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This groundbreaking event aimed to empower consumers and enhance transparency, accountability, and responsiveness within the Oil & Gas sector. PNGRB, responsible for addressing consumer grievances in the Petroleum Sector, formed a committee headed by Shri. Ratan P. Watal, Ex-Secretary, Finance, GoI, to guide its functions as mandated by the PNGRB Act.

The day-long conclave brought together government officials, industry leaders, consumer advocacy groups, RWAs, and regulatory experts to discuss establishing a consumer-centric energy ecosystem. Shri. Watal, Chairman of the High-Level Expert Committee (HLEC), inaugurated the event, offering valuable policy insights to bolster consumer protection.

Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson of PNGRB, highlighted the Board’s commitment to transitioning from a supply-focused to a consumer-centric regulatory framework. He stressed the significance of trust, accountability, and service transparency as the core tenets of PNGRB’s consumer protection vision. The Chairperson outlined plans for enhancing digital grievance redressal mechanisms, integrating consumer feedback into regulatory processes, and fortifying institutional safeguards to protect consumer rights.

Key Sessions at the Conclave Included:

• Presentation of the HLEC Report suggesting standardized grievance redressal mechanisms, ombudsman establishment, and adoption of international best practices.
• Insights from Indian and global regulatory models advocating for legal alignment, cross-sector coordination, and transparent service standards.
• Industry and Consumer Dialogues highlighting the importance of digital innovation, real-time grievance resolution, multilingual engagement, and consumer-centric initiatives like feedback-driven service enhancements.

Each session featured an interactive Q&A segment, enabling consumers and participants to engage directly with panelists, voice concerns, share experiences, and contribute to shaping the regulatory landscape. Discussions revolved around issues such as long waiting times for CNG consumers, addressing LPG consumer complaints, and enhancing consumer awareness about their rights.

In closing, Board Members stressed the necessity of ongoing stakeholder engagement to ensure that consumer perspectives influence the future trajectory of India’s natural gas sector.