In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 61 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act,

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Appointment of Consultants Regulations, 2007 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Appointment of Consultants Regulations, 2007, as published in the Gazette of India on December 30, 2021. The core purpose of this amendment is to update the consultant appointment regulations, specifically related to the applicable year, the duration for which the Board has to consider applications, age criteria, and consultant compensation. The key findings highlight changes to eligibility criteria for consultants, affecting potential applicants and the Board's operational procedures. **2. Introduction:** This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Appointment of Consultants Regulations, 2007, based on the official gazette notification dated December 30, 2021. This analysis aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced by this amendment and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Appointment of Consultants Regulations, 2007. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the amendment text, the original policy likely aimed to establish a framework for the appointment of consultants to the PNGRB. This framework addresses consultant eligibility, selection procedures, and compensation. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment appears to address the need to update and refine the consultant appointment process within the PNGRB. The changes suggest a desire to streamline the application process, potentially attract a wider pool of qualified candidates by adjusting the age criteria, and ensure competitive compensation packages to retain consultants. The changes to the year, from 2018 to 2021, suggest a periodic update to reflect the current state. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment: * **a) Regulation 17, sub-regulation 6, sub-clause ii of clause c:** * **What is being changed:** The year "2018" is being replaced with "2021". * **New Provision:** The reference year is now 2021. * **Effect of Change:** This likely updates a reference to a specific year related to consultant appointment or eligibility, bringing it in line with the current timeframe. * **b) Regulation 17, sub-regulation 7:** * **i) Clause e:** * **What is being changed:** The phrase "three months" is being replaced with "one month". * **New Provision:** The Board now must consider the applications within one month. * **Effect of Change:** This likely accelerates the decision-making process, potentially leading to faster consultant appointments. * **ii) New clause f:** * **What is being changed:** A new clause specifying the age limit for consultants is being inserted. * **New Provision:** The age of an applicant to be appointed as an Individual consultant for different categories as on the date of webhosting of Public Notice for the position shall be below 62 years. No Consultant would be retained in the Board after attaining the age of 65 years. * **Effect of Change:** This introduces a maximum age limit for new consultants and a retirement age for current consultants, potentially ensuring a mix of experience and fresh perspectives within the PNGRB. * **c) Schedule III:** * **What is being changed:** The compensation levels for Levels I and II consultants are being updated. * **New Provision:** * Level I: Rs. 65,000 with a 10 percent increase on completion of each year. * Level II: Rs. 85,000 with a 10 percent increase on completion of each year. * **Effect of Change:** This revises the compensation structure for consultants, likely aiming to attract and retain qualified professionals by offering competitive salaries and annual increments. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders for this amendment include: * Potential consultants seeking to be appointed to the PNGRB. * Existing consultants currently serving within the PNGRB. * The PNGRB itself, particularly the administrative and human resources departments responsible for consultant appointments. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is responsible for implementing these amendments. * **Timelines/Procedures:** * The amendment came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (December 30, 2021). * The amendment implies the Board will need to update its application forms and webhosting procedures for consultant positions to reflect the new age criteria. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes are: * **Streamlined Consultant Appointment Process:** The reduced application review timeframe (one month instead of three) aims to accelerate the appointment process. * **Wider Pool of Qualified Candidates:** The revised age criteria may attract a more diverse range of qualified professionals. * **Competitive Compensation:** The updated compensation levels are intended to enhance the attractiveness of consultant positions within the PNGRB. * **Clearer consultant retirement age.** * **Updated References:** The year change brings the document up to date. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Appointment of Consultants Regulations, 2007, represents a significant update to the consultant appointment framework. By refining the application review process, age criteria, and compensation structure, the PNGRB aims to attract and retain qualified consultants, ultimately enhancing the Board's expertise and effectiveness. The changes reflect a proactive approach to ensuring the PNGRB remains well-equipped to address the evolving challenges within the petroleum and natural gas sector.

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