Govt counsel in KG gas case set to withdraw statement

NEW DELHI: The government���s counsel in the gas dispute case between RIL and ADAG may end up cutting a sorry figure as he is set to withdraw his statement that NTPC had not concluded a gas contract with RIL. The counsel���Justice TS Doabia (retd.) ��� who represented the petroleum ministry, has told the ministry that he would be withdrawing his statement in the next hearing of the case ��� scheduled on September 1.

Mr Doabia���s statement had created a flutter as it would not only be detrimental for public sector company NTPC, but would also adversely impact Reliance Natural Resources��� (of ADAG) case. RNRL���s gas contract is drawn on the same lines of the NTPC contract. Any change in the RIL-NTPC contract, would thus have a direct bearing on the RIL-RNRL contract. It is learnt from official sources that the government���s lawyer made this remark in the court without the oil ministry���s authorisation.

The counsel is expected to make a statement to correct the position. ���We have discussed the matter with the advocate, Justice Doabia. It has been clarified that the statement made by Justice Doabia is not part of our brief to him. Justice Doabia syndicated that he would make a classificatory statement at the next hearing of the case,��� spokesperson of the petroleum ministry told ET.

On Thursday, Mr Doabia had told the Court that NTPC had not concluded a final pact with RIL. While the power ministry chose to remain silent on Mr Doabia remark in the court, the oil ministry is taking an exception to the statement and has asked the counsel to take corrective measures.

NTPC counsel has written to petroleum ministry that the statement made it���s counsel TS Doabia factually incorrect and contrary to the stand taken by NTPC in its case with RIL. Government counsel Mr Doabia in the RIL-RNRL case, last week, said that the government is not supporting NTPC because its agreement with RIL is not concluded, which weakened its case.

In a letter dated August 23, NTPC counsel wrote, ���We have got clients��� (NTPC) instruction to write to you so as to clarify that the statement allegedly made by Mr Doabia, senior advocate appearing on behalf of petroleum ministry, Government of India, in the above matters are factually incorrect and contrary to the stand taken by our client in their suit filed against RIL.���

(Inputs from Piyush Pandey)