In exercise of the powers conferred by clause g of subsection 2 of section 6

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Levy of Fee and Other Charges Regulations, 2007 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Levy of Fee and Other Charges Regulations, 2007. The amendment, enacted on August 27, 2021, introduces a fee for certified copies of documents and revises the fee structure for the empanelment of Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs). The core purpose of the amendment appears to be to update and refine the fee structure related to regulatory oversight and documentation within the petroleum and natural gas sector. Key findings indicate a focus on cost recovery for providing documentation and adjusting fees associated with third-party inspections. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Levy of Fee and Other Charges Regulations, 2007, as published in the Gazette of India on September 8, 2021. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and aims to inform stakeholders within the petroleum and natural gas industry about the changes. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Levy of Fee and Other Charges Regulations, 2007. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the amendment aims to update the existing fee structure within the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory framework. The objectives appear to be recovering costs associated with providing certified document copies and refining the fees for empaneling Third Party Inspection Agencies. **4. Background and Rationale:** This is an amendment, the likely reason for this specific amendment is to address potential gaps or inefficiencies in the existing fee structure of the 2007 regulations. The introduction of a fee for certified copies suggests a need to recover administrative costs associated with fulfilling requests for such documents. The revision of TPIA empanelment fees likely reflects a reassessment of the costs associated with oversight and certification processes related to safety and regulatory compliance (T4S, IMS, and ERDMP regulations). **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment: * **Change 1: Addition of Fee for Certified Document Copies:** * **Original Policy Part Affected:** Regulation 3 (table of fees and charges). * **New Provision:** A fee of ₹50 per page is introduced for providing certified copies of any document. (identified as "5A. Certified copy of any other document 50 per page") * **Effect of Change:** This introduces a new cost for stakeholders requiring official certified copies of documents from the PNGRB, likely to cover administrative and material costs. * **Change 2: Revision of TPIA Empanelment Fees:** * **Original Policy Part Affected:** Regulation 3 (table of fees and charges), specifically S.No. 10. * **New Provision:** The fee structure for the Empanelment of Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA) for conducting inspections, audits, and certifications under relevant T4S, IMS, and ERDMP regulations is revised. The revised fees are: * First Year: ₹1,00,000 * Subsequent Years: ₹50,000 * **Effect of Change:** Clarifies that the fee applies separately for each empanelment under T4S, IMS, and ERDMP Regulations. Also the fees are now specified at ₹1,00,000 and ₹50,000 respectively for first and subsequent years. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the following are the primary stakeholders affected by these changes: * Companies and individuals seeking certified copies of documents from the PNGRB. * Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs) seeking empanelment or renewal of empanelment for conducting inspections, audits, and certifications under T4S, IMS, and ERDMP regulations. * Petroleum and natural gas entities subject to inspections, audits, and certifications by TPIAs. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the responsible body for implementing and enforcing these amended regulations. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The regulations came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette (September 8, 2021). Specific procedures for requesting certified copies or applying for TPIA empanelment are not detailed in this text, but presumably, will be outlined by PNGRB separately. Implementation of TPIA empanelment fees may coincide with empanelment renewal cycles. * The amendment clarifies that the empanelment fees are distinct for T4S, IMS, and ERDMP Regulations. This implies separate applications and fee payments for each category if a TPIA seeks empanelment under all three. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these changes are: * **Increased Revenue for PNGRB:** The introduction of fees for certified document copies will generate revenue to offset administrative costs. * **Cost Recovery:** Cost Recovery for Empanelment Services: Empanelment fees contribute to the cost of the Board's oversight. * **Clarity and Transparency:** The clarification of TPIA empanelment fees, and their separation across different regulatory frameworks (T4S, IMS, ERDMP), should improve transparency and understanding for TPIAs. * **Potential Impact on TPIA Costs:** The change in TPIA empanelment fees could potentially increase the cost of compliance for entities requiring inspections and certifications, depending on how TPIAs adjust their service fees. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Levy of Fee and Other Charges Regulations, 2007, focuses on updating and refining the fee structure related to documentation and third-party inspections. The changes aim to enhance cost recovery and clarity in the fee structure, impacting stakeholders involved in regulatory compliance within the petroleum and natural gas sector. The amendment highlights the PNGRB's ongoing efforts to refine its regulatory framework and ensure efficient operations.

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