DNA
Mumbai, Jul 19: Fireworks will continue in the Bombay High Court after eight weeks as the court adjourned the appeal filed by the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) against the interim order passed earlier restraining them from selling gas to any third party by eight weeks.
RIL has locked horns with Reliance Natural Resources Limited (RNRL) owned by Anil Ambani. RIL counsel, Harish Salve sought interim relief to negotiate with third parties for the sale of gas while the main Gas Supply Master Agreement (GSMA) is being contended before another bench of High Court. Salve contended that contracts with third parties would include a clause that the agreements were subject to the final order of the High Court. RNRL counsel, Mukul Rohatgi, opposed the interim relief as it would impede their interests and interfere with the GSMA dispute.
Rohatgi said RNRL was agreeable to government proceeding with the approval of prices for the gas, which is to be auctioned by tender to third parties. RNRL had a right to the gas and after it had been given the quota, RIL could give the remainder for price approval to the government, Rohatgi said.
RNRL alleged that it was due to the failed commitment to supply the gas on RIL's part that its Dadri project could not be set up. The GSMA signed between RIL and RNRL after the demerger of the Reliance group in 2005 had fixed the price at $2.34 per million British thermal units.