The Delhi High Court has put on hold state-run ONGC’s notice inviting tender (NIT) and the consequent e-auction with regard to sale of natural gas from its block in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh said a prima facie case is made out in favour of the petitioners — two GMR group companies — and balance of convenience was also in their favour, as finalisation of the bidding would cause irreparable loss to them.
“We, therefore, stay the operation, implementation, execution and finalization of the NIT dated April 12, 2021 as well as corrigendum to the NIT issued on April 27, 2021 and the consequent e-auction, till the next date of hearing,” the bench said in its May 20 order. With the observation the court listed on June 4 the pleas by GMR Vemagiri Power Generation Ltd and GMR Rajamundhry Energy Ltd challenging the NIT and seeking a stay on any new allocation or allotment of gas from the KG-basin of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
