Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 - Section 34 - Interpretation of an agreement is within the domain of the arbitrator.
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT NATH
Pronounced
on: 21.05.2018 + O.M.P. 224/2015
M/S TRIVENI GLASS LTD. .....
Petitioner Through Mr.Dayan Krishnan, Sr. Adv. with Mr.Amit Jain, Ms.Aakashi
Lodha, Ms.Ginny Rautray and Mr.Sanjeev Seshadri, Advs. versus M/S GAIL (INDIA)
LTD ..... Respondent Through Mr.Gourab Banerji, Sr. Adv. with Mr.Kaushik Laik,
Mr.Syed A.Haseeb & Mr.Sahil Tagotra, Advocates
JAYANT NATH, J.
1. This petition is filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and
Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking to impugn the Award dated 29.09.2014 passed by
the learned Arbitrator.
2. The petitioner owns and operates a Glass Plant at Kondagudem, Dwarapalli
Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. It sources gas for its various
industrial applications to manufacture different types of glass. The respondent
is a Government company which has a right to procure and sell the gas from its
existing sources of ONGC, Tapti, Panna-Mukta and Ravva areas and owns and
operates pipeline network.
3. The petitioner entered into a Gas Sales and Transmission Agreement
(GSTA) dated 30.12.2010 with the respondent for supply of gas to its aforesaid
plant. The respondent agreed to sell, transport and deliver gas at the delivery
point in the said plant. The petitioner was to obtain 30,000 SCM of gas on the
stated terms and conditions. Clause 5.6 of the Agreement provided that the
terms and conditions would be spelt out in the side letter as Appendix 1 for
charges for overdrawal of gas.
4. Issue pertains to the overdrawal of gas during the period commencing
from first fortnight of January 2012 to second fortnight of July 2013. It is
the case of the petitioner that the petitioner has been wrongly and illegally
burdened with the excess payment of Rs.10,02,02,905/-. The case of the
petitioner further is that the basis for installing the plant by the petitioner
at Rajamundhry was availability of continuous supply of natural gas in the K.G.
Basin. The respondent under Article 5.1(a) of the agreement had agreed to
deliver gas at the delivery point of the petitioner up to a maximum of Daily
Contracted Quantity (DNQ) of 30,000 Standard Cubic Meteres (SCM) per day on
firm basis subject to availability of gas. However, it is contended that the
respondent never supplied the said allocated amount of 30,000 SCM Gas per day.
On account of the same, the petitioner had no option but to resort to
overdrawal of the gas. As per Appendix 1, the petitioner had to be charged at
120% of the highest priced gas in the pipeline for the overdrawal quantity of
the gas in excess of the aggregate DNQ. The grievance of the petitioner is that
they have been charged for RLNG gas price for the said excessive drawal which
is totally illegal as there was no RLNG gas physically available in the KG
Basin pipeline.
5. In view of the disputes that arose between the parties, the petitioner
invoked the arbitration clause.
6. The learned Arbitrator framed the following issues:-
“(i) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Claimant
is entitled to an award of Rs. 10,12,02,905.00 on the ground that the
Respondent was not entitled to charge for the gas supplied to the Claimant
industry on the basis of RLNG pricing?
(ii) Whether the Respondent was entitled
to charge the Claimant at the non-regulated rate?
(iii) Whether the Claimant is
entitled to interest on the amount of claim and if so, at what rate?”
7. Parties led their evidence. The petitioner led the evidence of Sh.RK.Sinha-
CW1, Sh.A.Chaterjee-CW2 and Sh.A.K. Dhawan-CW3. The respondent examined
Sh.A.K.Sahni RW-1. Some of the salient conclusions of the learned Arbitrator in
the award are as follows:-
The petitioner failed to install dual fuel capability in its plant despite
being aware about the necessity for the same. In view thereof, the petitioner
depended wholly on overdrawal of gas. The petitioner was on all material times
fully aware that it had taken a conscious business decision to overdraw gas and
was fully aware of the consequences. It is also aware that supply of gas at
RLNG price was also available.
The learned Arbitrator also concluded that the term “highest price”
does not connote the physical availability of highest price gas in the KG Basin
pipeline. He also noted that RLNG price was being charged from independent
power plants. Further records also show that two small scale
industries were receiving gas at RLNG price. Hence, for the purpose of
pricing, the gas was available in the system. The learned Arbitrator concluded
that if the petitioner has undertaken to pay 120% of the RLNG price on the
overdrawal of gas, then it is bound by the same. It also concluded that such
provision in the contract is beneficial to all gas consumers as it has a
deterrent effect. He further concluded that there is sufficient material on
record to show that for the purpose of pricing RLNG gas was available in the
pipeline of the respondent. The claim of the petitioner was dismissed.
8. I have heard learned counsel for the parties.
9. Mr.Dayan Krishnan, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner
contended as follows:-
(i) The Phrase „highest price gas in the pipeline system” as used in
Appendix 1 of the agreement between the parties refers to the highest price of
gas physically available in the pipeline of the respondent in Rajamundhry. The
respondent cannot equate this to the highest priced gas sold by the respondent.
Such charging made by the respondent was wholly illegal and contrary to the
agreement.
(ii) RLNG gas was not physically available in the KG Basin. Findings of
the learned Arbitrator to the said effect are wholly illegal and contrary to
the admitted facts. RW1-A.K.Sahni admits that RLNG gas was not physically
available in the GAIL Pipeline System. He has said so in his affidavit by way
of evidence and cross-examination. Hence, the question of charging the
petitioner at the rate of RLNG gas price did not arise.
(iii) The admitted fact is that when a customer contracts for a gas
from a particular source and if the gas is supplied from another particular
source, it is termed as “Swapping arrangement”. It is pleaded that there was no
contract between the parties for supply of RLNG gas by means of swapping
arrangement and hence, there was no question of charging the petitioner at the
RLNG gas rates for the excessive drawal.
10. Mr.Gourab Banerji, learned senior counsel appearing for the respondent
has denied the contentions of the petitioner. He has reiterated that the
learned Arbitrator has on the appreciation of evidence recorded the finding
that the highest price gas in the pipeline system would mean highest gas
supplied to a customer and not the source of the gas. As admittedly in the KG
basin area independent power plants and small consumers were paying RLNG price
for the gas supplied to them, the same would be applied to the petitioner. It
is not necessary that a particular gas must be physically present in the
system. Learned Arbitrator accepted the factual evidence that the composition
of the gas irrespective of the source is the same, namely, hydrocarbon. The
view taken by the learned Arbitrator is a plausible view based on the
appreciation of evidence and hence, there is no merit in the present petition.
11. Clause 5.6 of the Agreement between the parties states as follows:-
“5.6 Overdrawl Gas It shall be governed by the terms and conditions as
spelled out in side letter enclosed as Appendix 1 to this Agreement.”
12. Appendix 1 of the agreement reads as follows:-
“In this regard, it may please be noted that w.e.f. 01.07.09, the
methodology for levy of over drawl charges shall be as follows:
On Daily
Basis
If Overdrawal (quantities drawn in excess of aggregate DNQs under all
GSAs with GAIL is within the tolerance of 6% of aggregate DNQs under all GSAs
with GAIL, the same shall be treated as Authorized Overdrawal.
If Overdrawal (quantities drawn in excess of aggregate DNQs under all
GSAs with GAIL) is beyond the tolerance of 6% of aggregate DNQs under all GSAs
with GAIL, the entire Over drawl quantities in excess of the aforesaid
aggregate DNQs shall be considered as Unauthorised Overdrawal to be charged at
120% of the highest priced gas in the pipeline system.
Day(s) during which Overdrawal beyond 6% of the aforesaid aggregate
DNQs has taken place shall be excluded from the relevant fortnight and
remaining day(s) shall be aggregated for calculating the aggregate Overdrawal
of that fortnight.
Authorised Overdrawals to be reconciled over the relevant fortnight.
On Fortnightly basis
If the Authorized Overdrawal for each day, after
adjusting under drawls in the same priority as mutually agreed in allocation
methodology for the days, if any, (excluding those days on which entire
Overdrawal quantities have been booked as Unauthorized Overdrawal) aggregated
over the relevant fortnight is beyond 6% of the DNQ of the last day of the
fortnight, the same shall be treated as drawl of the highest priced gas as per
the respective GSAs with GAIL for which nominations have been made in the
relevant fortnight. If the Authorised Overdrawals for each day, after adjusting
under drawls in the same priority as mutually agreed in allocation methodology
for the days, if any, (excluding those days on which entire Overdrawal
quantities have been booked as Unauthorized Over drawl) aggregated over the
relevant fortnight is beyond 6% of the DNQ of the last day of the fortnight, such
Overdrawal quantities shall be considered as Fortnightly Unauthorized
Overdrawal to be charged at 120% of the highest priced gas in the pipeline
system.”
13. The entire dispute centers around interpretation of the phrase “120% of
the highest priced gas in the pipeline system”. The case of the petitioner is
that the respondent have wrongly taken the price of Regasified Liquid Natural
Gas (RLNG) whereas no such gas is at all available in the system of the
respondent in KG Basin. The learned Arbitrator based on the evidence on record
made the following conclusions:-
“It, however, appears from the deposition of Mr. Dhawan (CW3) that no
such facility was installed in the plant of the Claimant. This clearly goes to
show that the Claimant despite being fully aware about the necessity of having
a dual-fuel capability for smooth running of the factory failed and/or
neglected to do so and depended only on overdrawl of gas. In fact, it has
clearly been stated on behalf of the Claimant that it had no other alternative,
but to overdraw gas.
xxx
9.17. The conduct of the parties, it is well settled,
is a guide to show as to how the parties have understood the terms thereof. In
this case, from its conduct, it is apparent that the Claimant at all material
time was aware that it had taken a conscious business decision to overdraw gas
and was fully aware of the consequences thereof. It was also aware that supply
of gas at RLNG price was also available.
xxx
9.22 It is therefore, not correct to contend that the term “highest
price” connotes the physical availability of highest price gas in the K.G.
basin pipeline system. It has been admitted by the Claimant that RLNG price was
being charged from the independent power plants and thus, admittedly, for the
purpose of pricing the said gas was available in the system. The Respondent
furthermore has brought on record documents to show that even two small scale
industries were receiving the gas at RLNG price.
xxx
9.37 (q) Article 5.6 and Appendix 1, having clearly provided for
the charges in respect of overdrawal of gas, which being in the nature of
deterrence, there was no reason whatsoever as to why the same was not to be
given effect to. For the aforementioned purpose, physical availability of RLNG
gas was not necessary as all categories of the gases are of same composition.
It is incorrect to contend that the Respondent could not charge at a non-APM
price. r) A distinction must be made between the terms “cost” and “price”, and
in that view of the matter the Claimant is not concerned with the price of gas
which GAIL were to pay the producers (the cost), and what the consumer are
required to pay to GAIL (the price). The terms “highest price gas” would mean
“highest price gas being supplied”. It is a matter of record that highest price
gas was available in the system by reason of supply thereof to the other
customers in the K.G. Basin. For the aforementioned purpose, the source is
irrelevant and what is relevant is the price. s) The source of the gas is not
of much relevance in as much as, stated by Mr. Sahni, composition of gas being „hydrocarbon‟
remains the same.”
14. What has been pleaded before this court is that there was no RLNG gas
in the system and the learned Arbitrator has wrongly concluded that such gas
was there in the system. Reliance was placed on the evidence of RW-1. A
reference may be made to the affidavit by way of evidence of Sh.A.K.Sahni RW-1
who is the General Manager (Pricing) of the respondent. In para 10 of his
affidavit, he states as follows:-
“10. The Respondent has periodically been informing the highest price
of gas by the end of first week of every month to all its customers and the
Claimant has been paying the over-drawl charges on that basis since 2006. The charges were on the very same
basis except that RLNG was not flowing in the GAIL system. The parties were ad
idem and very clear that the term the highest price gas in the system was the
highest price of the gas being sold/to be sold by the Respondent. The parties
to the Contract had expressly agreed to this highest price so that one of the
customers does not excessively overdraw and affect the supplies to the other
customers and thereby the grid discipline is maintained.”
15. Similarly in his cross-examination, he states as follows:-
“Q.41 Is it correct that RLNG was not flowing in the GAIL system at
Rajamundhry?
Ans. Gas was sold in the Rajamundhry pipeline system by way of
swapping arrangement. Customers were paying the RLNG price.
Q.42 I put it to
you that it is to your knowledge and which you confirm also in para 10 of your
affidavit of evidence that RLNG was not in the GAIL system and hence you are
avoiding to give this factual status. What do you have to say?
Ans. I agree and
have to say that physical flow is not relevant in the swapping arrangement and
the customers on the pipeline system are invoiced in terms of the contract for
supply of the nominated quantity and the overdrawl, if any, in terms of the pricing
mechanism informed to the customers under the contract.
xxx
Q.56 Are you
suggesting that without RLNG being physically flowing through the pipe system
of GAIL at Rajamundhry, you imposed 120% penalty on the basis of price of RLNG
for overdrawl for purposes of ensuring the customers do not overdraw? Ans. Yes.
Q63 I put it to you that phrase “highest priced gas in the pipeline”
pertains to the availability of physically available gas in the pipeline at
Rajamundhry. What do you have to say? Ans. No, it means that highest priced gas
sold to the customers in the pipeline systems.”
16. Reference may also be had to the response of the respondent to the
interrogations filed by the petitioner. The petitioner had filed interrogatories
under Order 11 Rule 12 of CPC. Some of the replies are relevant, which reads as
follows:
“Re.Q.No.1 Gas at RLNG prices was physically available in the KG Basin
pipeline through the modus of a swapping arrangement as directed by the
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) to be supplied inter alia to
independent Power Producers like GVK Gautami Power Ltd. and GMR Vemagiri Power
Generation Ltd. and small consumers during the period 01.01.2012 to 31.07.2013.
Invoices for some of the purchases are attached from Pg. 54 to 58 of the
additional documents filed by the respondent. According to Gas specification
parameters the RLNG and Domestic gas are identical and the only difference is
in the price of the said gases.
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Re.Q.No.4 There are numerous
agreements with the consumers of gas at RLNG prices a few of them are on record
in the documents filed by the Respondent wherein the prices have also been
indicated. There were also several monthly contracts for the supply of gas at
RLNG prices. Some of the invoices have also been filed by the Respondent for
such transactions. Such prices have been communicated by the respondent on a
monthly basis by email communication copies of which have been attached in the
Additional documents.”
17. Another aspect to be noted is the position prior to 2011 or post 2013.
The learned arbitrator noted that such charges have been made prior to 2011 and have not been disputed by the petitioner. However, after 2013 RLNG
gas was not imported and such charges have not been made. The learned
arbitrator had noted as follows:
“9.38. The Claimant urges that there is no reason as to why RLNG rates
were not applied prior to 2011 or post 2013. The fact that at least in 2011,
such charges were made is not in dispute. The claimant itself has not
questioned the said levy before this Tribunal. In that view of the matter, the
principle of „estoppel‟ is clearly attracted against the Claimant. Sufficient
materials have been brought on record to show that as after 2013, RLNG gas was
not imported, no such charges were made.”
18. A perusal of the aforesaid evidence would show that RLNG gas was not
physically flowing through the pipe system of GAIL. But consumers were being
charged at RLNG gas rate in view of swapping arrangement.
19. The learned Arbitrator based on above concluded that it would not be
correct to contend that highest price connotes physical availability of the
highest price gas in KG basin pipeline system. The facts on record which have
been even admitted by the petitioner are that RLNG price was being charged from
the independent power plants and also two small scale industries who were
paying at RLNG gas price. The relevant price is the highest price charged from
customers by the respondent. Hence, the relevant price for charging the
petitioner was the price of RLNG.
20. Keeping in view the aforenoted facts, it is manifest that the view
taken by the learned Arbitrator is a plausible view. The findings of fact are
that there were number of consumers who were being charged on RLNG Gas rates.
The petitioner has been charged as per the said rates in terms of Appendix I to
the agreement. Merely because RLNG Gas was not physically present in the system would make no difference inasmuch as the physical
quality of the said gas are Hydro-Carbon.
21. Interpretation of an agreement is within the domain of the arbitrator.
Reference in this context may be had to the judgment of the Supreme Court in D.D.Sharma
v. Union of India, (2004) 5 SCC 325, where the court held as follows:
“24. It is also trite that correspondences exchanged by the parties are
required to be taken into consideration for the purpose of construction of a
contract. Interpretation of a contract is a matter for the arbitrator to
determine, even it gives rise to determination of a question of law.
22. Reference may also be had to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the
case of McDermott International Inc. vs. Burn Standard Co. Ltd. and Ors.,
2006 (11) SCC 181/(MANU/SC/8177/2006), wherein the court held as
follows:
“72. It is trite that the terms of the contract can be express or
implied. The conduct of the parties would also be a relevant factor in the
matter of construction of a contract. The construction of the contract
agreement, is within the jurisdiction of the arbitrators having regard to the
wide nature, scope and ambit of the arbitration agreement and they cannot, be
said to have misdirected themselves in passing the award by taking into
consideration the conduct of the parties. It is also trite that correspondences
exchanged by the parties are required to be taken into consideration for the
purpose of construction of a contract. Interpretation of a contract is a matter
for the arbitrator to determine, even if it gives rise to determination of a
question of law. [See Pure Helium India (P) Ltd. v. Oil & Natural Gas
Commission MANU/SC/0803/2003: AIR2003SC4519 and D.D. Sharma v. Union of India
MANU/SC/0419/2004: (2004)5SCC325]. Once, thus, it is held that the arbitrator
had the jurisdiction, no further question shall be raised and the court will not exercise its jurisdiction unless it is found that there exists
any bar on the face of the award.”
23. There is no merit in the plea of the petitioner. The petition is
dismissed.
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