SC turns down NTPC plea to stop RIL from changing petition

New Delhi, Oct 1 (PTI) The Supreme Court of India
Thursday refused to halt the Bombay High Court's decision that
allowed Mukesh Ambani-led RIL to amend its plea on a gas
supply deal with PSU NTPC at a committed price citing
government policy.

"These days the courts are very liberal in allowing
amendments... You will get an opportunity," the bench headed
by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said, while reassuring the
Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) that it would get its chance
to file a reply.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had moved the
apex court challenging the high court's decision allowing
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to amend its petition to the
effect that the government's policy on pricing of gas would
frustrate its contract to supply gas at a price of USD 2.34
per mmBtu it had quoted in a 2004 global tender.

The decision comes ahead of the commencement of final
hearing on October 20 on the dispute between the Ambani
brothers over gas supply and price. The court would also hear
the government's petition on the matter.

RIL is citing a 2007 decision of the empowered Group of
Ministers that approved USD 4.20 per mmBtu as price for gas
from RIL's KG-D6 fields as a stumbling block for selling gas
at the price it bid in 2004.

Anil Ambani-led RNRL is fighting RIL on a similar count,
arguing that it cannot renege on the agreement citing
government's stand on pricing.

NTPC had taken RIL to court after they failed to conclude
the contract. MORE PTI