Thursday, July 26, 2012

GUJARAT HIGH COURT'S SHOCKER FOR AUTO INDUSTRY

SETTING A NEW PRECEDENT

In an order which would impact lakhs of people owning cars, the Gujarat high court on Wednesday directed the state government to pass necessary laws to make it compulsory for all four-wheelers registered in Gujarat to convert to natural gas within one year. Further, the court gave two months to the state government to issue necessary orders to impose stringent restrictions to reduce pollution by fixing levels of emission to the minimum, at par with international norms. The order applies to both public and private vehicles running on petrol and diesel.
The order, passed by Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala, came in response to directions sought by Dhrangadhra Prakruti Mandal, through its vice-president Devjibhai Dhamecha, to the state and Centre as well as all gas and petrol companies operating in Gujarat.
The order said, "The state is directed to pass necessary orders compelling owners of all vehicles having registration in Gujarat to use natural gas and, if necessary, even at higher prices within the shortest possible period, not exceeding one year from today for the protection of lives of citizens."
The judges suggested gas prices be cheaper for public vehicles and higher for privately owned vehicles. Also, fares of public transport should be fixed at reasonable rates so that the end benefit goes to the public.
The Gujarat high court also directed the Central government to allocate natural gas for domestic and vehicular use to the city of Ahmedabad usage at the same rate as it is supplied to Delhi and Mumbai. "This is to enforce the right of equality," the judges said.
Source: Reports

IMPACT

Oil marketeers such as Indian Oil Corp, bharat Petroleum and HPCL would feel the heat as 11% sales of Petrol, Diesel comes from the state of Gujarat

Central Govt doesn't have enough gas for dedicated allocation for entire Gujarat
Auto companies may find it difficult to set up facility for gas engines in one year time

Supply of gas to auto sector falls under city gas distribution which is 4th in priority list

Fertiliser, LPG and Power are top priority for gas supply under Central Govt


Even imports of gas dedicated for Gujarat in one year time would not be possible

WHO WOULD BENEFIT

Petronet LNG, Gujarat Gas and Indraprastha Gas to benefit as gas offtake picks up

CNG cylinder manufacturers such as Everest Kanto to benefit as demand picks up

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