Stung by the front page advertisements in newspapers issued by Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Natural Resources Ltd. (RNRL), questioning the role of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on the gas price, a divided Petroleum Ministry is contemplating various options including looking closely at the issue of advertisement code violation to nail RNRL in its ad blitz. Petroleum Ministry sources said the RNRL’s advertisement campaign raising issues concerning gas pricing, pointing a finger at the role of Petroleum Ministry including the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons and distribution of KG basin gas has upset the officials in the Ministry. One section of the Ministry is of the view that as the attack is clearly aimed at the EGoM, it is for the EGoM to respond if it thought it so. However, another section of the Ministry is of the view that as Mr. Anil Ambani had given a totally new dimension to the gas war by putting out huge advertisements in newspapers tarnishing the image of the Petroleum Ministry and the Government and it is time that some kind of action is taken.
Centre’s response
It is learnt that the matter was discussed between Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora and Petroleum Secretary R. S. Pandey and other officials on what kind of response the government should undertake to this ‘media tirade.’
