The Centre on Tuesday asserted full ownership over gas from the KG basin and said as Mukesh Ambani's RIL was only a contractor for exploration, it was barred from having a private agreement with Anil Ambani's RNRL for supply of gas that violated the production sharing contract (PSC).
"We do not know whether the Ambani brothers have colluded or have fallen apart over the issue of supply of gas by RIL to RNRL. How can two private parties decide about allocation of gas, which is a national resource. We are concerned only about the national interest and will take every step to safeguard it," said additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran.
Arguing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam, Parasaran did not have an easy time presenting the stand of the ministry of petroleum and natural gas as RNRL's counsel Ram Jethmalani made a constant pincer attack ranging from calling the government to be in collusion with RIL to telling blatant lies before the court.
"The ministry which ran away from a cross examination before the High Court should not be allowed to argue like a party to the RIL-RNRL dispute. If it does, then the ministry should select its star witness for cross-examination," Jethmalani said promising the three judges that they would enjoy it.
But Parasaran stood his ground and said the government had a sovereign interest over national resources and was telling the court about the facts of the case -- "The PSC was signed much before the family agreement and that a private agreement could not override government policy or national interest."
"We do not know whether the Ambani brothers have colluded or have fallen apart over the issue of supply of gas by RIL to RNRL. How can two private parties decide about allocation of gas, which is a national resource. We are concerned only about the national interest and will take every step to safeguard it," said additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran.
Arguing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam, Parasaran did not have an easy time presenting the stand of the ministry of petroleum and natural gas as RNRL's counsel Ram Jethmalani made a constant pincer attack ranging from calling the government to be in collusion with RIL to telling blatant lies before the court.
"The ministry which ran away from a cross examination before the High Court should not be allowed to argue like a party to the RIL-RNRL dispute. If it does, then the ministry should select its star witness for cross-examination," Jethmalani said promising the three judges that they would enjoy it.
But Parasaran stood his ground and said the government had a sovereign interest over national resources and was telling the court about the facts of the case -- "The PSC was signed much before the family agreement and that a private agreement could not override government policy or national interest."
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