The Union Home Ministry led by Mr. Murli Deora, in contrast to its earlier stand, has been working out to revive empowered group of ministers (EGoM) for redrawing controversial gas allocation policy.

The ministerial group, chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will decide on the allocation of 4.73 mmscmd of gas from the Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL)-operated KG-D6 fields to five power plants.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said: "We have written to the Cabinet secretariat to form an EGoM on the lines of the previous empowered group." He said that government will ensure gas allocation in a transparent manner without favouring any party, obliquely indicating toward ongoing tussle between Reliance Brothers.

RIL has announced its decision to increase gas production from the current 40 million standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) to 80 mmscmd. A RIL spokesperson said: "As mentioned in our letter dated August 28, 2009 to the ministry, we have received several requests for the KG-D6 gas and have requested the government to consider allocating gas to these existing customers in various sectors."

EGoM will comprise Home Minister P Chidambaram, Oil Minister Murli Deora, Law Minister Veerappa Moily, Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister MK Alagiri.