The steep drop in production of natural gas from the KG D6 gas block off the Andhra Pradesh coast, which has resulted in the loss of opportunities to the country, is a matter of concern.

Several chemical and power projects in Andhra Pradesh that were implemented based on the estimated gas output from the basin are now idling, causing loss of several thousand crores.

Further, huge sums have been invested in laying gas pipelines based on KG D6 gas block output to several locations, including Tamil Nadu.

This project should not be viewed as the failure of a private organisation or as a sick project. It has caused a serious se back to our industrial and economic growth.

As a chemical engineer with over four decades of experience in India and abroad, I do not believe that such a drastic fall in gas output within a few months of operation can happen in the normal course. Therefore, the matter has to be investigated carefully by a technically competent agency.

The Government of India should take over the KG D6 gas block, which is a national asset, from the private promoters who have expressed their inability to operate at the targeted level and float a global tender for its operation..

N.S.Venkataraman

Chennai

Electronic payments

This is with reference to “Cash is still king for Government” (Business Line, October 29).

APCDPCL (the AP Government's Electricity Utility) has a portal for electronic payment for which no prior registration is required.

Only the Service Connection number is sufficient for getting the bill displayed and the payment can be affected through any bank. Tamil Nadu too could emulate this.

M.G.K. Murty

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