India, July 3 -- As the countdown has started for the end of the UPA Government, a move is underway to sharply increase the price of the indigenously produced natural gas. A Cabinet note shows that a section of the Government wants to bring the domestic price on a par with international rates. The move, which would come as windfall for Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has triggered sharp differences among various Ministries.

According to the note prepared by the Petroleum Ministry for consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Power Ministries are opposed to any price hike, the Finance and Petroleum Ministries and Planning Commission are and Planning Commission varies (Million Metric British Thermal Units) and $...