In an unusual development, the government on Thursday withdrew its affidavit in the Bombay high court, wherein it had asserted Reliance Industries [Get Quote] cannot sell its Krishna-Godavari basin gas to anyone without its approval to the pricing formula.

Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said that the affidavit, filed during the hearings on the dispute between Mukesh Ambani-led RIL and younger brother Anil's group company RNRL, was being withdrawn.

The withdrawal came following insistence by RNRL counsel Ram Jethmalani to cross-examine the government on the issue.

Hearing the case, Justice J N Patel suggested that the government could withdraw its affidavit and simply assist the court through written submission, and the same was accepted immediately by Parasaran.

In its affidavit filed last month, the government had also said that RIL could not sell KG basin gas at a price less than $4.20 per million British Thermal Units.

"Sale of gas at a price less than USD 4.20 per mmBtu is not envisaged as per the Empowered Group of Ministers' decision taken in accordance with Production Sharing Contract (between the government and RIL)," S M Sundaram, under secretary (ministry of petroleum and natural gas), had said in the affidavit.

Last week, the court summoned the official in the petroleum ministry for the purpose of cross-examination in the ongoing case over gas supply.

Asked about the government's stand after withdrawal of the affidavit, Parasaran told PTI, "You will come to know our stand on January 12. This is not a step backward."