New Delhi:
Salman Khursheed, the Minister for Corporate Affairs, spoke to NDTV's Barkha Dutt about the dispute between the Ambani brothers.
Anil Ambani's statement claims that even the Prime minister andFinance Minister are concerned over the dispute. Should the governmenthave a view on an entirely private corporate battle?
I think the government has made it very clear that it doesn't have aview. But government officials are after all human beings, and some ofthem have seen this family grow and contribute to India's growth in aremarkable way as captains of the industry. I think there coulddefinitely be some personal sentiment, expressed from time to time.
The government doesn't take a view beyond that line.
Do you believe that this dispute is now endangering India's national and economic interests? The questions of any damage arise only if the highest court of the landtakes a conclusive final decision. The Supreme Court is still to hearthe matter. Whatever the implications are, I am sure the court iswell-placed to come to a sensible and balanced conclusion.
But the Petroleum Ministry had to amend its petition on gas prices.How do you react to charges made by the Samajwadi Party, especiallyAmar Singh, that the government in batting for Mukesh Ambani?
The Government is not batting for anyone. But it will take a positionwith respect to its own interest, and there might be convergence -somebody else might benefit or agree or even disagree with thatposition. You can't work the logic backwards and call the decisionmotivated just because it seems to be favouring someone. Thegovernment's decisions are objective, independent and entirely based onits own responsibilities.
Is it the government view that gas is a national asset and so it hasthe right to decide the prices? As a lawyer, what is your view on whathappens to the sanity of private contracts?
Let's be very clear. We begin with something that is in the publicrealm. Whether it is spectrum or gas or oil for that matter, thegovernment owns it on behalf of the people of India. But the governmentcan't make manage these by itself - and it certainly isn't advised todo so - so it allows individuals, companies or groups of people tocreate productive assets out of these.
The law and systems are very clear on the terms and basis of suchdeals. We can go wrong, and periodically we do, but we the courtsimmediately tell us to correct our position.
Oil regulator V K Sibal claims his life under threat from the Anil Ambani group. As a minister, do you not find this bizarre?
Not just as a minister, but even as an average Indian who feels forwhat is happening in the country, I can say that this is not a welcomedevelopment.
A huge, successful company breaking up and moving in differentdirections is not necessarily good news. But we know growth incorporate structures sometimes requires demergers and distribution ofwealth among the different members of a family. What is sad andregrettable, is for the whole thing to be seen with suspicion.
I think that the legal issues, whatever they are, must be sorted out incourt for everything else to fall in place. As for their personalrelations, the people involved and their well wishers should hope forthe best.
You must have seen Anil Ambani's statement and Mukesh's reply to it.Do you believe that the government can help with the reconciliation?
I think when such things happen out in the open, they are best left toan area of private enterprise. Let people involved settle their privatematters, and let public institutions settle public matters. Even if wefeel we have a better solution, I think we should be careful aboutrushing in to help.