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| Competition Commission will scan Ambani gas dispute, if asked |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Aug 19, 2009, 16:32 IST |
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Competition Commission of India (CCI) today said it will look into the high-voltage gas dispute between the Ambani brothers provided someone forwarded a request.
"Somebody has to make a reference to us. We will certainly look at it, but so far nothing has come to us," a top CCI official told PTI when asked if the CCI could look into the gas supply dispute that is already before the Supreme Court.
Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) wants the court to direct Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Industries (RIL) to supply gas to it at $2.34 per mmBtu, but RIL has argued that it cannot do so without government approval.
The CCI "has not yet applied its mind on this (allocation and pricing of KG-basin gas) because it has not really come to us", the official said.
The CCI Act empowers the competition watchdog to look into cases pertaining to abuse of dominance, and anti- competitive practices, the issues raised by Anil at the annual general meeting of RNRL last month.
Accusing RIL of spreading misinformation to ensure higher prices for its gas, Anil Ambani had said RIL was trying to "perpetuate this monopoly, and earn disproportionate profits at the cost of the people".
Mukesh's group responded to the allegations with a request to Anil Ambani group to exercise restraint while the court decides. Although Anil did not mention CCI, he had expressed the hope that public accounting bodies like Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will, examine all relevant facts, and take appropriate action against the guilty persons, if they find that huge losses have been caused to the public exchequer.
The Supreme Court will on September 1 hear cross-appeals filed by the two Ambani camps on the gas dispute.
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