CNG supply unlikely to be halted immediately; PMPML in talks with MNGL
Pune: Even with the PMPML having made it clear on Monday that they were not in a position to pay the Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL), the supply of CNG to the transport body is not expected to stop from June 1. “We have been promised Rs20 crore by the Pune Municipal Corporation and Rs12 crore by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. However, the amounts are yet to reach the account of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). So, at this moment, we cannot pay MNGL. We have faced such a situation earlier as well but the PMPML has always ensured payment to MNGL. Once the amount comes into our accounts, we need to first disburse the salaries of our staff and then pay MNGL,” PMPML’s chairman cum managing director, Rajendra Jagtap, told TOI1. The issue cropped up last week after the MNGL wrote a letter stating that the supply of CNG would be stopped for the PMPML from June 1 until the latter cleared their dues of Rs53 crore. Congratulations! You have successfully cast your vote “It is now the discretion of the MNGL whether they want to keep supplying CNG to the PMPML. We will definitely pay them once the amount is credited into our account. One must remember that we are presently catering to emergency services only,” Jagtap said. An official with the MNGL told TOI that talks with the PMPML were still on and things looked positive. “We will come up with some solution for sure. However, they must pay our dues without any more delays,” the official said The transport body officials said, if one takes away the interest amount which has to be paid, the PMPML had to pay the MNGL Rs32 crore. Another PMPML official told TOI that talks were on with the MNGL. “The PMPML gets paid for its monthly operational losses by both corporations. We have written a letter to the MNGL authorities about the financial problems but haven’t heard from them until now. However, talks are going on and we are hopeful that a consensus will be reached and that CNG supply will not be halted,” the senior official said.