SC to hear Reliance's plea next week

NEW DELHI: Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Gas Transportation and Infrastructure Company on Monday challenged in Supreme Court the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order that stalled the construction of pipeline to transport natural gas from Krishna-Godavari basin to Gujarat. A bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal adjourned the matter till next week on Reliance counsel's request. The High Court on November 13 last year had ordered for stalling the pipeline work after some farmers from the state challenged the provisions of the Petroleum and Mineral, Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. In separate petitions filed before the High Court, the farmers had alleged that Reliance Gas Transportation and Infrastructure and Reliance Industries were building the pipeline illegally under their land. The petitioners had sought setting aside of the provisions of the Act on the ground that it was illegal and unconstitutional. They also asked for nullification of the notification issued by the government for laying down the pipes underneath their land. The farmers had stated that the project was being undertaken solely with business motive and it would not benefit the people.

THE ECONOMIC TIMES24 Mar, 2008, 2200 hrs IST, PTI