Click to play videoNew Delhi: Chairman of Reliance Natural Resources Limited (RNRL) Anil Ambani has written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, complaining that the Oil Ministry is siding with brother Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in the ongoing dispute between the two corporates. However, RIL has denied the charge.
Assuring the Government that the battle between RIL and RNRL over gas from the KG Basin would not hurt national interest, Anil Ambani urged the PM to direct the ministry not to intervene.
"Please direct the Ministry not to intervene in a commercial dispute between two corporates," quoted Anil.
Meanwhile RIL sources have reacted to the charge. While maintaining that the case is subjudice RIL sources have told CNN-IBN, "We are only following the letter and spirit of the 2000 gas production agreement with the Government of India, under which no gas can be distributed without Government approval. There is no question of us seeking to influence the Petroleum Ministry as is being alleged."
The development comes barely two days after the Government filed a petition in the Supreme Court, demanding that the family's private agreement must be declared null and void.
According to the Government, gas is a national resource and in the petition, names both Anil and Mukesh as respondents. A separate petition has also been filed against their companies.
Mukesh Ambani in his appeal had alleged that the Bombay High Court had erred in deciding the three terms - quantity, tenure and price of gas supply - to power plants of RNRL affiliates.
The case will come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, on Saturday Anil asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the government's affidavit on the issue.
The Petroleum Ministry previously withdrew all its affidavits when the matter was being heard in the Bombay High Court and hence it has no right to do so in the apex court, said Anil Ambani's Reliance Natural Resources in a fresh affidavit.
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