SC notifies implementation of uniform gas pricing polic

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for implementation of the government notification and enforced uniform gas pricing policy in the country with effect from August 1.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhan and VS Sirpurkar vacated the interim stay granted by Gujarat High Court against the implementation of the government notification.

According to the notification Petro Net Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited will adopt a uniform price policy throughout the country.

The gas is supplied by Ratnagiri Dhabol project.

Today's order came on petition filed by Petro Net LNG Limited seeking transfer of the petitions pending in various High Courts to this court.

The apex court also directed Gujarat High Court to reconsider the issue of interim stay and remanded the matter back to the Gujarat High Court. The PSUs involved are Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and GAIL. The Gujarat High Court had stayed the notification on July 31, 2007 against which the petitioner company came in appeal. Seven petitions are pending in Gujarat High Court and one in Delhi High Court. And the transfer of all the petitions is being sought on the grounds of avoiding multiplicity of litigations.

The pricing policy of the government move in accordance with fluctuations in international prices of crude oil. Notification was issued by Union Petroleum and Gas Ministry on March 2007.

UNI