By IANS
New Delhi : Former consumer affairs secretary L. Mansingh has taken over as the first chairman of the newly established Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, an independent watchdog for the hydrocarbons industry.
Former director of GAIL (India) B.S. Negi, former income tax commissioner L.K. Singhvi and energy expert Sudha Mahalingam have joined the board as members, an official statement said Wednesday.
Y.P.C. Dangay, former joint secretary in the law ministry, will join as a member for legal affairs soon, the statement added.
The board will regulate downstream activities in the petroleum and natural gas sector such as refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution and marketing to protect the interests of consumers and stakeholders.
Set up under an act of parliament last year and formally notified now, the board will ensure uninterrupted and adequate supplies of fuels in the country, as also promote competitive markets.
"The board will also maintain a databank of information on downstream activities in the petroleum and natural gas sector and lay down the technical standards and specifications including safety standards," the statement added.