Reliance hits out at AAP government

A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took on Mukesh Ambani over gas pricing in India, Reliance Industries Limited has threatened to sue Aam Aadmi Party government for the ‘baseless’ allegations.

“The complaint and each of the allegations on the basis of which the Delhi government has taken such action are completely baseless and devoid of any merit or substance whatsoever. We deny these irresponsible allegations and propose to resort to the available legal remedies to protect our reputation and preserve the pioneering efforts and investments made by Reliance so far,” Reliance said in a statement.

On Tuesday On Tuesday Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that RIL along with the Indian Government has been conspiring and increasing the price of gas from $4.2 per million British Thermal Unit to $8. The Delhi government has an ordered an FIR against RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani , Union Ministers Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora.

“We believe that high prices are being caused by corruption,” Kejriwal told the reporters.

“Today we have instructed the anti-corruption branch to file a criminal case against Murli Deora, FIRs (investigations) against Veerappa Moily, V.K. Sibal, the (then) director general of hydrocarbons, Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman Mukesh Ambani and others,” Kejriwal added.

“The wells belong to us. If Reliance and Mukesh are not producing gas in order to create an artificial scarcity, then the government should look at giving these wells to the (state-run exploration company) ONGC and some other entity which can operate them and produce gas,” Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said he will write to Manmohan Singh to probe into the matter.

“I will write letters to the Prime Minister and Veerappa Moily to look into the matter. The central government should take back gas wells from RIL,” Kejriwal said.

Reacting to the allegations Oil Minister Veerappa Moily said, “It is not the question of Mukesh or Deora. He should know that there is a certain system for fixing prices.”

Meanwhile Senior CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta has welcomed Kejriwal government’s decision to file FIR against RIL.

“I welcome Kejriwal’s move to take up the case of KG Basin and the hike in gas prices allowed by the government. It is a total fraud committed by the government, particularly Moily, for allowing steep hike in gas prices from four to eight dollars on the basis of an unsubstantiated survey,” Dasgupta said.

“It is a loot of public money. (The government’s decision to hike gas prices) will seriously affect the power and fertiliser sectors,” Dasgupta added.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!