In what could be a severe blow to Anil Ambani group seeking cheap gas from elder brother Mukesh- led RIL, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Government has the last word on pricing and utilisation of national asset. Giving its verdict on the four-year-old dispute, a three-judge Bench of the court headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said the Ambani family MoU dividing the gas is not binding–both legally as well as technically. Immediately after the judgement, RNRL Chairman Anil Ambani, who was present at the courtroom, left without taking any questions from the throng of reporters and cameramen. <br/> <br/>Stock market responded swiftly to the judgement, with RIL shares shooting up by about five per cent to nearly Rs1,050 and that of RNRL declined close to 20 per cent to Rs 55. The court also directed RIL to initiate negotiations with RNRL within six weeks to arrive at a sale agreement within the framework of government policy.<br/> <br/>RNRL had contended that it was entitled to 28 mmscmd of gas a day from RIL's eastern offshore KG-D6 fields, at $2.34 per mmBtu—a price 44 per cent lower than government approved rate of $4.20 per mmBtu. <br/> <br/>The Bombay High Court had last year directed the RIL to reach an amicable agreement with RNRL for gas supply as per the family MoU. Although the apex court said that the petition filed by RNRL was maintainable, it held that the gas is government asset till it reaches consumer. The court also made it clear that RIL did not have absolute marketing right over gas and in the face of the bench's observation, the Anil Ambani group's claim to over 28 mmscmd of gas for 17 years is likely to go back to the negotiating table.<br/> <br/>