Gas row: Anil Ambani wants final hearing on Sept 1

Industrialist Anil Ambani on Wednesday met key ministers and senior government officials in New delhi, a day after he accused the Union oil ministry of helping the Mukesh Ambani-run RIL renege its commitment on supplying gas to his group firm.

Telecom Minister A Raja was among those that Ambani met, sources said.

Earlier, amid an intense legal and public battle for ensuring gas supply from RIL to his group company, Anil Ambani said RNRL would on Thursday approach the Supreme Court seeking final hearing on the matter on September 1.

The company separately served notices on RIL and the petroleum ministry, which Anil had on Tuesday accused of siding with his elder brother Mukesh in the dispute.

"Today RNRL has served notice on petroleum ministry and Reliance Industries that RNRL counsel will be mentioning the matter before the Supreme Court tomorrow (Thursday). The Supreme Court will be requested to take up the matter for final hearing on September 1," Anil told reporters who joined a telephonic conference call.

Supreme Court was scheduled to hear on September one the cross-appeals by both RNRL and RIL on a Bombay high court judgement, as also a petition by the Union petroleum ministry to stay the high court order on gas supply at $2.34 per mmBtu.

Accusing RIL of deliberately dragging its feet on gas supply despite the contract being upheld thrice by the Bombay high court, he cautioned the oil ministry that it should not be influenced by the delaying tactics of RIL.

"I will be personally happy to be proven wrong if RIL also agrees to our request tomorrow if it genuinely wants to resolve the issue expeditiously."

Lok Sabha rocked

The Ambani brothers' legal battle on gas supply reverberated in Lok Sabha with Samajwadi Party members demanding Petroleum Minister Murli Deora's resignation for his role in the dispute, leading to adjournment of the House thrice.

Image: ADAG chairman Anil Ambani.

Photograph: Reuters