The state-run National Thermal Power Corporation has received a nod from the central government to intervene in the gas pricing dispute between Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Reliance Natural Resources Ltd (RNRL), currently pending in the Supreme Court.

The power secretary, HC Brahma, said: “It is now up to NTPC to decide whether to intervene in the RIL-RNRL case.”

Meanwhile, NTPC’s R.S. Sharma said that the firm will adopt its strategy after taking opinion from the Attorney General of India about the government’s stance. The case may get further complicated if NTPC, an independent entity, contradicts the petition filed by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry in the apex court on 18 July, demanding scrap of deal between RIL and RNRL.

The Union Power secretary said: “NTPC can intervene in the Supreme Court in the RIL-RNRL case to safeguard its interests. It is up to them to decide a course of action.”

It should be recalled that the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of RNRL in June, paving the way for the firm to get gas supply of 28 million standard cu. m a day from the Krishna-Godavari basin for 17 years, at a price of $2.34. But both firms, RIL and RNRL are now fighting in SC which is expected to hear the case in next few days.