(2)

For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Board shall be guided by the following, namely:-

1. the factors which may encourage competition, efficiency, economic use of the resources, good performance and optimum investments;
2. safeguard the consumer interest and at the same time recovery of cost of transportation in a reasonable manner;
3. the principles rewarding efficiency in performance;
4. the connected infrastructure such as compressors, pumps, metering units, storage and the like connected to the common carriers or contract carriers;
5. bench-marking against a reference tariff calculated based on cost of service, internal rate of return, net present value or alternate mode of transport;
6. policy of the Central Government applicable to common carrier, contract carrier and city or local distribution natural gas network.