GENERAL TRADERS Vs. GAIL INDIA LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) FOR running any industry, fuel is the most important component. In the 19th century, the main fuel was coal and coke, which in the 20th century was oil. In the 21st century the main fuel for the industry is, and is likely to continue to be, natural gas.

(2.) THE dispute in the present petitions is primarily with regard to the fixation of price of natural gas, earlier supplied by Gail (India) Ltd. (in short GAIL) and now by Gail Gas Ltd., to the industrial units of Agra and Firozabad falling in the Taj Trapezium Zone (in short TTZ).

(3.) BY such directions, the Supreme Court ensured that coal/coke based industries within TTZ, which were the main cause of pollution, were either converted to gas based industries or they be located outside the TTZ or else they may shut down. The concept of use of natural gas for running the industries in the TTZ was itself introduced for the first time through the order dated 30.12.1996 passed by the Supreme Court. The direction of there being no coal/coke based industry in the TTZ was very clear for all industries.