Amar wants PSU panel to take up NTPC-RIL case

NEW DELHI: The Reliance gas row has now reached a Parliament panel, with the Samajwadi Party seeking the intervention of the Commitee on Public Undertakings (COPU).

In a letter to COPU chairman Kishore Chandra Deo, SP leader Amar Singh said the panel should conduct a probe into the reluctance of NTPC to proactively pursue the gas dispute with RIL.

���The attorney general and the solicitor general have advised NTPC to explore the possibility of transferring the suit against RIL to SC and file an SLP asking for interim relief. Both law officers have said the RIL-RNRL case will impact the NTPC-RIL case,��� Mr Singh said. The SP leader is a member of COPU.

The issue is now before a four-member ministerial group comprising Pranab Mukherjee, Veerappa Moily, Murli Deora and Sushil Kumar Shinde. The group is yet to take a view on the matter.

The SP leader said COPU should take a firm view on the gas row, as the attroney general has asked NTPC to apprise the court about the details of the agreement with RIL. ���Why is NTPC management, led by R S Sharma, so sluggish in protecting the interests of the company despite even independent directors raising their concern,��� he asked.

He also said the power ministry���s silence was surprising. ���As the impact of a higher gas price may affect millions of power and fertiliser consumers, COPU should ensure corrective action. RIL should be forced to adhere to its commitments given in the international bidding process,��� Mr Singh said.