ONGC directed to take charge of Vedanta oil block

The government has directed state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to assume interim operational control of an oil and gas producing block from Vedanta after rejecting the latter’s plea to renew the oilfield contract.

Vedanta, which produces about a fifth of India’s crude oil output, challenged the Centre’s move in the Delhi High Court on Monday. Justice Sachin Datta recused himself from hearing its plea, and the case will be listed before another bench on Tuesday, said people familiar with the matter.