Become party to NTPC-RIL case to protect PSU: ADAG to Govt

The Anil Ambani group today asked the Oil Ministry to follow a uniform policy and become party to power PSU NTPC's case against Mukesh Ambani-led RIL to save power consumers from paying additional Rs 30,000 crore for the benefit of 'private monopoly' gas producer.

"In contrast to hands-off approach in RIL-NTPC case, the Petroleum Ministry has chosen to actively intervene in a similar commercial dispute over gas supply between two corporates (RIL and Anil group firm RNRL), even though the government's interests are fully protected as per judgement of Bombay High Court," ADAG said in a letter to the ministry.

ADAG President A N Sethuraman, in his letter, quoted media reports to say that RIL was relying on Oil Ministry's affidavits in the RIL-RNRL case to "strengthen" its case against NTPC.

NTPC is fighting in Bombay High Court to secure gas from RIL at $2.34 per mmBtu, a price committed in a 2004 tender. RIL, however, says the price was subject to government nod.

"Yet, the Petroleum Ministry, it would appear, is not considering intervening in the court case between RIL and NTPC. Indeed, fears are now being expressed that the Petroleum Ministry's recent statements in Parliament may harm the interests of NTPC in its legal battle against RIL," it said.

"We request you, in the interests of having a uniform approach, to kindly consider becoming a party in the RIL-NTPC litigation...  And concerns an exorbitant burden of an additional Rs 30,000 crore that power consumers in the country may be called upon to bear," Sethuraman said.