Jai Corp likely to foray into city gas, LPG distribution
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MUMBAI: Anand Jain promoted Jai Corp steps on gas. The company plans to get into distribution and supply of city gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), hitherto an area primarily dominated by the government-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs).
Confirming this move, Anand Jain, chairman Jai Corp told ET, “We have passed an enabling resolution to get into the distribution of city gas.” The company intends to start supply of city gas and LPG to its SEZs in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Later, it will expand its operations in other cities. Jai Corp plans to supply gas through three subsidiaries namely Urban Gas, Urban Gas Distribution and Urban Gas Suppliers. It will shortly seek the government’s approval for the same.
Although the company will supply gas to its twin SEZs in Mumbai to begin with, it will later extend the operations in other parts of Maharashtra. “We will take out gas supply business to the cities where we will set up townships,” he said. Reliance Industries (RIL), it may be mentioned, is barred from getting into supply business in Mumbai as per the no-compete agreement it signed with the Anil Ambani group. Mr Jain is a close confidante of RIL’s chairman Mukesh Ambani.
The family agreement, which divided the Reliance empire between the Ambani brothers three years ago, kept the distribution of city gas in Mumbai and New Delhi exclusively reserved for the Anil Ambani Group. Therefore, RIL has sought the government’s approval for the gas projects in 52 cities except New Delhi and Mumbai.
LPG is the most popular fuel in Indian households. So, creation of an LPG distribution network is a logical extension for the infrastructure company which has been setting up three SEZs. “Going forward, the company will also cater to the LPG requirements of other small cities,” said Jai Corp in its latest annual report. Mr Jain is chairman of Navi Mumbai SEZ (NMSEZ) and Maha Mumbai (MMSEZ), where Jai Corp has a 10% stake.
Interestingly, two associate companies of Jai Corp have received the support of Maharashtra government to set up two 2,000 MW power plants in Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra, near the proposed SEZs. The 2005 family settlement prohibits Reliance Industries from getting into power business. Jai Corp has got the government approval to acquire agricultural land over 250 hectares for setting up two township projects in Maharashtra. These townships will house the people working within the two SEZs.