SC not to interfere with high court move on RIL plea

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the Bombay high court decision to allow Reliance Industries Limited to amend its petition related to the gas dispute with state-run NTPC.

However, the apex court allowed NTPC to file a reply to deny the allegations, if any, levelled by RIL in its amended written statement.

The bench headed by chief justice K G Balakrishnan also directed the high court to dispose of the matter expeditiously.

NTPC had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay high court's decision that allowed RIL to amend its petition on the gas dispute saying the government's policy would render the deal with power public sector unit infructuous.

The power PSU had sought 12 mmscmd gas from RIL, which had emerged winner in an international competitive bid quoting a price of $2.34 per mmBtu. But RIL now says the government's policy on gas utilisation could frustrate the deal.