In another development in the high-stake gas dispute before the Supreme Court,the Anil Ambani-led RNRL today told the court that the governments approval was not required for the sale of gas by RIL to it and alleged that RIL had wrongfully and mischievously sought to pass this off as a condition. Placing its affidavit before the Supreme Court,RNRL stated,The allegation that government approval is a condition precedent to sale of gas by RIL to either (power PSU) NTPC or to RNRL is completely wrong and incorrect. It also raised questions about the Mukesh Ambani-led RILs argument that the governments approval was required for price fixation,saying that even the empowered group of ministers had decided that any policy on the subject would be without prejudice to the RIL-RNRL case. RNRL has never questioned the ownership of the government on gas,but RIL has complete market freedom to deal with the gas that belongs to it,the affidavit said. The Anil Ambani group is of course entitled to claim damages for the loss and damage caused to RNRL on account of continuing breach and violations committed by RIL,in addition to directions to RIL for supply of gas, it said. Alleging that RIL has been changing its stance with regard to the MoU (the family agreement that provides for sale of gas by RIL to RNRL),RNRL detailed RILs response on different occasions and said this fully exposes RILs blatant lie and falsehood. RIL has complete marketing freedom for sale of gas within India. The marketing freedom would include within its scope the freedom to sell the gas on such terms and at such price that RIL deems fit and proper, it said.
