(2)

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

(a) the factors which may encourage competition, efficiency, economic use of the resources, good performance and optimum investments;

(b) safeguard the consumer interest and at the same time recovery of cost of transportation in a reasonable manner;

(c) the principles rewarding efficiency in performance;

(d) the connected infrastructure such as compressors, pumps, metering units, storage and the like connected to the common carriers or contract carriers;

(e) bench-marking against a reference tariff calculated based on cost of service, internal rate of return, net present value or alternate mode of transport;

(f) policy of the Central Government applicable to common carrier, contract carrier and city or local distribution natural gas network.