What Is a Protected Gas Consumer?
OGRA classifies every domestic Sui Gas connection into one of two tariff categories: protected or non-protected. Your category is decided by your own average consumption across the four winter billing months — November, December, January and February — since winter is when household gas use peaks (heating, geysers). If that four-month average is 0.9 hm³ (90 m³) per month or less, SNGPL or SSGC marks you as a protected consumer for the entire following year, and you pay lower, subsidised slab rates and a lower fixed monthly charge on every bill, not just in winter.
Protected vs Non-Protected — What You Actually Pay
The difference isn't just the per-unit rate — the fixed monthly charge is also lower for protected consumers. Both apply for all 12 months once your category is set.
| Monthly consumption | Protected (Rs/m³) | Non-protected (Rs/m³) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 m³ | Rs 11 | Rs 30 |
| 51–100 m³ | Rs 22 | Rs 44 |
| 101–200 m³ | Rs 42 | Rs 80 |
| 201–300 m³ | — | Rs 112 |
| 301–400 m³ | — | Rs 132 |
| Above 400 m³ | — | Rs 156 |
| Fixed monthly charge | Rs 600 | Rs 1500–3000 |
How to Apply for Protected Consumer Status
New connections are usually classified provisionally at installation and confirmed after your first full winter of metered readings. If you believe your bill shows the wrong category, you can request a review:
- Collect your last 4 winter bills (Nov–Feb) showing your metered consumption in m³.
- Calculate your average: add the four months' usage and divide by 4.
- Visit your SNGPL regional office or SSGC area office with your bills and CNIC, or call the helpline to request a category review.
- Ask for a written acknowledgement or complaint reference number for the review request.
Can You Lose Protected Status?
Yes — SNGPL and SSGC review winter consumption every year, not just once. If your winter average rises above 0.9 hm³ in a later year (a new heater, a larger household, a cold winter), you can be reclassified as non-protected and billed at the higher slab rates and fixed charge from the next cycle. If you believe a reclassification was made in error, use the same complaint/helpline process to request a re-review with your winter bills as evidence.