Mumbai, Sep 28 (IANS) The Anil Ambani group has called the marketing margin for the gas produced by Reliance Industries from the Krishna-Godavari basin illegal and asked the oil ministry to prevent the company from suspending supplies as threatened.
In a letter to Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey, Reliance Infrastructure, a part of the Anil Ambani group, has said Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has not conducted any form of marketing for the gas from the Krishna-Godavari fields.

“Reliance Industries is not sharing this part of sale consideration with the government. Thus, several crores of rupees that would belong to the government are being diverted by Reliance Industries,” the letter alleged.

The letter, written by Reliance Infrastructure vice president Kamal Kant, has also asked the petroleum ministry to expeditiously resolve the issue of whether Reliance Industries is justified in charging marketing margin.

“You are requested to advise Reliance Industries to act in terms of the Bombay High Court order and continue the supply of gas on payment of $4.2 per unit,” said the letter, referring to the judgement delivered in June.

The supplies, as stated in the letter, refer to that part of production from the fields that is over and above the 28 million units of gas a day at $2.34 per unit for 17 years for which a bitter legal battle is being fought by the two groups.

The Supreme Court is slated to hear the case Oct 20.