The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Procedure for Appointment of a Person or Constitution of an Authority for Conducting Inquiry against Chairperson or a Member) Rules, 2006
Published vide Notification No. G.S.R. 574(E), 15th September, 2006
Act2491
G.S.R. 574(E). - In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 read with clause (b) of Sub-section (2) of Section 60 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 (19 of 2006), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely :- 1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Procedure for Appointment of a Person or Constitution of an Authority for Conducting Inquiry against Chairperson or a Member) Rules, 2006. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions. - In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "Act" means the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006;
(b) "Judge" means a Judge of the Supreme Court appointed for conducting an inquiry under Rule 3;
(c) All other words and expressions used in these rules and not defined, but defined in the Act shall have the same meanings as assigned to them in the Act.
3. The Judge to conduct inquiry. - (1) Whenever the Central Government is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for making an inquiry against Chairperson or a Member under Section 7 of the Act, into truth of any imputation of acquisition of such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a Chairperson or member or abuse of his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the interest of public, it may, after consulting the Chief Justice of India, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a Judge for the purpose of conducting such inquiry. (2) Notice of appointment of a judge under sub-rule (1) shall also be given to such Chairperson or Member. 4. Procedure for conducting inquiry. - The Judge shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice such as informing the Chairperson or Member concerned of the charges against him and giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of such charges and shall have power to regulate his own procedure including the fixing of place and time of his enquiry. 5. Powers of the Judge. - The Judge may summon such witness or records as he may consider necessary for the purpose of discharging his functions under these rules.
