Deora meets PM; explains stand on gas pricing row

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) Union Petroleum Minister Murli
Deora on Wednesday called on Prime Minister of India Manmohan
Singh and apprised him of the stand his ministry has taken in
the Supreme Court in the ongoing gas supply dispute between
the Ambani brothers.

Deora is believed to have explained the Oil Ministry's
position on gas pricing and utilisation.

Last week, responding to comments sought by the Prime
Minister's Office on a letter from industrialist Anil Ambani,
the ministry had written to Singh saying that the Ambani
family MoU that provides for RIL to supply gas to RNRL will
"harm the public interest."

Anil had written to the Prime Minister on July 15 seeking
a direction to the Oil Ministry to stop favouring Reliance
Industries in a commercial dispute between two companies.

The Bombay High Court's June 15 order that upheld the
MoU, gives "precedence to a private family MoU over the
government's rights under the PSC, the policies approved by
the Government and the Constitution of India," the Oil
Ministry letter to PMO said, seeking to explain the need for
government to move the Supreme Court.

The apex court will on September one take up for
consideration, the government's petition challenging the High
Court order. PTI ANZ