NEW DELHI, Oct 31:
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani today came under attack from India Against Corruption (IAC) which alleged that the UPA and the previous NDA Governments had favoured his company by giving contract on gas exploration in KG Basin and concessions at a huge cost to the exchequer.
Calling it a “classic case of crony capitalism”, activists Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan alleged that Reliance was “blackmailing” the Government to increase the price of gas by “almost stopping” the production and indulging in “hoarding like petty traders”.
RIL however refuted the charges saying allegations were at the “behest of vested interests”.
“The statements made by IAC… Are devoid of any truth or substance whatsoever and are denied,” the company said in a statement.
Government sources said the terms of contracts signed with firms like RIL were already under review and a committee headed by Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) Chairman C Rangarajan to suggest an alternate model for the future.
The Government, they said, was already sensitized about current contracts providing an incentive to firms to keep raising capital expenditure to postpone Government getting higher profit take.
Attacking the decision to shift S Jaipal Reddy from Petroleum Ministry, IAC alleged it was now “absolutely crystal clear” that he was eased out of the crucial ministry only on account of “pressure” from Reliance Industries.
They said Reddy was “honest” and his “ouster” was only because he “actively resisted” Reliance’ demand for an increase in the price of gas and wanted to penalise the company for “wilful reduction” of production of gas.
He asked why did Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh not seek the opinion of the Attorney General when the then Petroleum Minister Manishankar Aiyar “refused to give in” to Reliance’ demand for increasing the price of gas from USD 2.34 per unit to USD 4.2 per unit in 2006.
“In 2006, Aiyar was removed and Murli Deora was brought in and he cleared the files within one and half months. Why does he seek the opinion of Attorney General now? Why does his heart beats only for Reliance?” Kejriwal said.
Former Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar however denied IAC allegations saying no proposal for raising gas price ever came before him.
New Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily refused to react to the allegations. (PTI)
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