Question 67 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Current Affairs

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.
2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas.
3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: Focus on identifying whether PNGRB was truly India's first regulatory body—there were earlier ones like SEBI, TRAI, so statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 highlights the 'competitive markets for gas', which matches PNGRB's stated objectives. Statement 3 links the appellate function to the Electricity Appellate Tribunal, which is factually correct under the Act. Eliminate options with statement 1 included, confirming only statements 2 and 3 as correct.

Key Info: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was constituted in 2006 under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006. PNGRB regulates refining, processing, storage, transport, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas. It promotes fair trade, protects consumer interests, and fosters competitive markets, especially for natural gas and petroleum products. PNGRB was not the first regulatory body in India—others such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI, 1988/statutory in 1992), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI, 1997), and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI, 1999) predate it. As per Section 30 of the 2006 Act, appeals against PNGRB's decisions are made to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, established under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003. This tribunal has jurisdiction to hear appeals not just related to electricity, but also PNGRB matters as assigned by law.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3