EGoM to make its stand clear on KG gas supply cut before HC

A reluctant government today agreed with the Delhi High Court that EGoM's view was crucial in case gas supply from RIL's KG basin is to be cut to non-core sectors, a move that has been challenged by Essar Steel.

The court wanted the matter to be referred to the Empowered Group of Ministers, but has sought only an affidavit from the EGoM.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and Essar steel also traded charges in the court over the EGoM meeting. While Essar said EGoM was scheduled for June 9, the ministry said it has no such information.

"There is no meeting of EGoM on June 9," said Additional Solicitor General AS Chandhiok, who was asked by the bench to confirm the statement. He had responded after two hours.

However, Essar cried foul against the Ministry and filed an affidavit saying that public notice dated May 26 mentions that the EGoM meeting is to be held on June 9.

It alleged that the Ministry was dragging feet over referring the matter to EGoM.

"While coming out of the court room [after court directed ASG to find about the scheduled meeting], I overheard the Ministry official discussing that it would now be in the fitness of things to cancel the meeting of June 9," Vice President (Corporate Affairs) of Essar Steel, Vaidyanathan Ramachandran, stated in the affidavit.

A bench of Justice S Muralidhar was told by Chandhiok that though EGoM was not meeting, an affidavit would be filed by it detailing its view on the issue.

"The ASG states that stand of EGoM in the matter will be made explicit by an affidavit before July 4. List the matter on July 7," the judge said.