Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the centre and Reliance Industries on a public interest litigation seeking review of the recent government decision to hike from 2014 the gas prices from $4.2 to $8.4 million British thermal unit (mmBtu).
The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam issued notice on the PIL by CPI leader and senior parliamentarian Gurudas Dasgupta contending that the government decided to hike the gas prices without taking into account its disastrous consequences on the country's economy, particularly power and the fertiliser sector.
Dasgupta has contended that the price hike was decided even when five cabinet ranking ministers had opposed the move.
The PIL sought the enforcement of relinquishment laws by which government should reclaim 80 percent of the KG Basin gas field that has not been utilised by Reliance.
Directing the listing of the matter Sep 6, senior counsel Harish Salve accepted notice on behalf of Reliance. Notices are returnable in four weeks.
