Kejriwal Orders FIR Against Mukesh Ambani, Moily And Murli Deora Over Gas Prices

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a fresh offensive against Reliance Industries limited accusing the company of creating artificial shortage of gas in the country and conspiring to raise its price.

Kejriwal said he has ordered the anti-corruption branch to file a criminal case against Mukesh Ambani and former oil minister Murli Deora and present oil minister Veerappa Moily in connection with a complaint received by the Delhi government against the pricing of gas produced from the D6 block in the east coast.

FIR will also be lodged against VK Sibbal, former DG hydrocarbons.

Kejriwal said the anti-corruption branch had received a complaint from four eminent people against Reliance. According to Kejriwal, in the complaint it was stated that some central ministers conspired to ensure windfall gains for Reliance in the gas deal.

Reliance had initially agreed to supply gas to utility NTPC Ltd at about $2.3 per million British thermal units (mBtu) for about 17 years, Kejriwal said.

But price of gas from the D6 block was fixed at $4.2 per mBtu when Deora was oil minister.

The Delhi CM said there was a move to raise the price of gas from the existing $4 per unit to $8 per unit from April 1. If the rates are increased, it will lead to chaos as prices of everything will go up, he said.

He said he would be writing to the Prime Minister to put on hold the order to increase the price of gas till the probe by anti-corruption branch was over.

In his letter, he will also request the PM to ensure that all concerned ministries cooperate in the probe.

Reacting to Kejriwal's charges, Verrappa Moily said, "I should sympathize with him,he should know how govt functions,there is certain system to fix prices."

(With inputs from agencies)