Letters: Wha's at stake

I was appalled to read in Business Standard (July 10) an article by Pradip Baijal in unabashed defence of Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Industries with respect to the RIL-RNRL gas supply dispute.

The article refers to Mr Baijal as a former special secretary (power) and a formal chairman of TRAI. But Mr Baijal currently works in association with Nira Radia and Vaishnavi Communications, which has two key accounts, namely Reliance Industries and the Tata group. After Mr Baijal retired from TRAI, Ms Radia and Vaishnavi Communications set up a lobbying arm called Noesis, of which Radia, Baijal and CM Vasudev became directors.

More recently, Mr Baijal has been appointed chairman of the Pipeline Advisory Committee of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board. Nothwithstanding the conflict of interest, he will oversee resolution of issues related to the setting up of gas pielines, the tariff regime, and issues related to city gas distribution. You are well aware that RIL and Mukesh Ambani-owned RGTIL are major players in this sector.

I do hope therefore that Business Standard will give its readers a more comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum vita of Mr Baijal.

Tony Jesudasan
Group President — Corporate Communications, Reliance ADAG

(Business Standard was not aware of Mr Baijal’s link with Ms Nira Radia, and would have disclosed it, if it was — Editor)