ID :
72988
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 20:38
Auther :

SC rejects RNRL plea for final hearing of gas dispute on Sept1

New Delhi, July 30 (PTI) The Supreme Court Thursday
refused to take up a gas dispute between Reliance Industries
and RNRL for final hearing on September 1, rejecting the
prayer of Anil Ambani Group company for expeditious
proceedings.

A bench headed Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said it
will decide on the date of final hearing on September 1 when
it will consider various petitions related to the dispute.

The RNRL prayer came up for mentioning and the company's
counsel Mukul Rohtagi requested that final hearing be taken up
on September 1 as the entire Bombay High Court record was
before the apex court and nothing was left to be filed.

"All parties are here," he said, referring to Mukesh
Ambani-led RIL, the government and gas users.

RIL counsel Harish Salve, however, questioned the need
for early final hearing, saying "what public interest would
this serve?"

The court enquired whether the petitioner wanted interim
arrangement on the September 1 or the final order, Rohtagi
said that RNRL was not looking for interim arrangement.

At this point Salve requested the court that there should
be complete silence from all parties as people are going to
the media.

Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said the
government also wanted early resolution of the dispute.

The court said it will try to give an early date but the
first week of September is not possible.

Seeking early resolution to the gas supply dispute
involving Mukesh Ambani led RIL and Oil Ministry, Anil Ambani
yesterday said that his group firm RNRL would approach the
Supreme Court for final hearing on September one.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on September 1
cross-appeals by both Ambani group firms, as also a petition
by the Petroleum Ministry against a Bombay High Court order
that asked RIL to supply gas to RNRL at USD 2.34 per mmBtu
against the officially prescribed USD 4.2 per mmBtu. PTI

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