Publication of Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India regarding De Notification of Competent Authority of M/s. GAIL (India) Limited in the State of Jharkhand appointed under Section 2 (a) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962.

## Policy Analysis Report: Denotification of Competent Authority for GAIL India Limited Pipeline Projects in Jharkhand **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, regarding the denotification of the Competent Authority for GAIL India Limited's Natural Gas Pipeline Projects in the State of Jharkhand. The notification, S.O. 2978(E), effectively removes Shri Prem Kumar Tiwary, Assistant Settlement Officer, Government of Jharkhand, from this role, previously assigned via notification S.O. 480(E) dated 28.01.2020. This amendment impacts GAIL India Limited and potentially affects the progress and administration of its pipeline projects in Jharkhand. The key finding is a change in administrative oversight for these projects. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notification S.O. 2978(E), dated June 29, 2022, based solely on the provided text. The report aims to clarify the amendment's objective, key provisions, and potential implications for GAIL India Limited and related stakeholders. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification constitutes an **amendment** to an earlier notification, specifically S.O. 480(E) dated 28.01.2020. * **Core Objective (Inferred):** The core objective of the *original* policy was to designate a Competent Authority for land acquisition related to GAIL India Limited's natural gas pipeline projects in Jharkhand. The core objective of *this amendment* is to remove the previously designated authority from that role. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment appears to address a need for a change in the designated authority for GAIL India Limited's pipeline projects in Jharkhand. The text does not explicitly state the reason for this change. However, one can infer that there might have been a need to replace the previous Competent Authority with a new individual, based on administrative considerations or other factors not specified in the text. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification directly amends a previous policy by: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The earlier designation of Shri Prem Kumar Tiwary, Assistant Settlement Officer, Government of Jharkhand, as the Competent Authority for GAIL India Limited's Natural Gas Pipeline Projects in the State of Jharkhand. This designation was originally made in S.O. 480(E) dated 28.01.2020. * **New Rule/Provision:** The *new* provision is the **denotification** (removal) of Shri Prem Kumar Tiwary from the role of Competent Authority. No new authority is named in this notification, which implies a further notification would be required to assign another individual to this role. * **Effect of the Change:** The effect of this change is that Shri Prem Kumar Tiwary is no longer authorized to act as the Competent Authority for land acquisition and related matters for GAIL India Limited's pipeline projects in Jharkhand. This creates a temporary vacancy in the role. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are: * **GAIL India Limited:** The company's pipeline projects in Jharkhand are directly impacted as the designated point of contact for land acquisition and related regulatory processes has been removed. * **Government of Jharkhand:** The amendment concerns an official within the state government, impacting internal administrative processes. * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** The issuing authority responsible for overseeing the projects and related regulations. * **Landowners in Jharkhand:** Any landowners affected by the pipeline projects, whose dealings were through the named authority. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the responsible agency for issuing the notification. Further implementation likely involves coordination with the Government of Jharkhand to designate a new Competent Authority. * **Timelines:** The notification states it will be effective from the date of its issue (June 29, 2022). * **Implementation related to the change:** GAIL India Limited will need to be informed about this change, to ensure any applications or communications are no longer routed through the denotified Competent Authority. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this specific change is to facilitate the appointment of a more suitable individual as Competent Authority, for reasons unstated in the text. The immediate impact of the amendment is a temporary disruption in the administrative process until a new Competent Authority is designated. A delay in the designation could potentially slow down land acquisition and related processes for GAIL's pipeline projects. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notification S.O. 2978(E) represents a significant administrative change concerning GAIL India Limited's pipeline projects in Jharkhand. The denotification of the Competent Authority necessitates the prompt appointment of a replacement to avoid potential delays in project implementation. This amendment underscores the dynamic nature of administrative oversight and the need for efficient regulatory processes in infrastructure development.

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