When Dhirubhai Ambani died he left behind a vast industrial empire without a clear will about how it will be divided. His elder son Mukesh wanted it all and this was resisited by his younger brother Anil. Eventually a compromise was worked out by their mother and the various assets were divided between the brothers. Mukesh inherited RIL which produces and refines oil whereas Anil got RNRL, a power company. It appears that RIL had a contract to supply gas to RNRL from its offshore fields in Andhra at $ 2.34 per unit which is the same rate it had quoted to the government controlled power company, NTPC. Now, however, RIL wants
$ 4.20 per unit because its capital expenditure was some Rs. 300 billion more than earlier projections. This was disputed by RNRL in the High Court in Mumbai which found in its favour. RIL has appealed to the Supreme Court where the matter rests at present. Curiously the Oil Ministry supports RIL's increased demand whereas the Power Minister wants NTPC to pay the original agreed price. No doubt the Supreme Court will decide in one brother's favour in due course but it is impossible to understand why Mr. Mukesh, being the elder brother, will do anything to harm his younger sibling. Mr. Mukesh is said to be building a 24 storey house for his wife for some Rs. 80 billion and is content to spend hundreds of millions in lawyers' fees just to hurt is own brother. In the land of Rama that is really disgusting.