'RIL-RNRL case is back on track now'

Q&A: Mohan Parasaran

Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran explained to Kalpana Pathak the logic behind withdrawing the government affidavit in the RIL-RNRL gas dispute in the Bombay High Court

Why did the government take a U-turn and withdraw the affidavit?
We have withdrawn the affidavit for the sake of expediting the case. It could in no way prejudice the stand of the central government as it would still participate in the case as an intervener and assist the court with regard to the scope of the production-sharing contract and policies with regard to the decision taken by the empowered group of ministers.

What implications could this withdrawal have on the case?
It will have no implications. The case is back on track in the sense that it will not get into the technical details of the matter, helping in a speedy resolution.

So what will be the government’s course of action?
The court has given us the liberty to file a detailed written submission on January 12, 2009, explaining points of view of the government. The court has a tight schedule now and the case will be heard on a continuous basis from January 12 to January 17, where RIL senior counsel Harish Salve and we will argue, followed by submissions from the RNRL counsels. The court should hopefully reserve a judgement by January-end or early February.