NEW DELHI, Feb. 19 (UPI) — India has said it will enforce its rights under gas production-sharing contracts for the supply of gas from Reliance Industries’ Krishna-Godavari basin.

The government said it is taking these measures to prevent Reliance from diverting its gas supplies to other customers during the contract period. It said the move is also aimed at ensuring uninterrupted supply of gas to new gas-based power projects that are set to come up in the next three years.

The government said it would enforce its rights by capping the gas seller’s contractual liabilities after a discussion with suppliers and the lenders to the power projects. It has another proposal to strengthen the sellers’ covenants regarding maintenance of reserves during the contract period.

“The second proposal would ensure that the gas reserves based on which the supply contracts have been concluded are maintained and preserved to ensure uninterrupted supply,” said a spokesman for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.

The government is also planning to have a definitive contract period and a fixed annual contracted quantity instead of the current variable supply provisions. India’s existing gas-based power projects have faced problems due to irregular gas supplies, and gas companies have been unable to meet rising demand, The Business Standard newspaper reported Monday.

About 10 percent of India’s power plants are gas- based and they are pressuring the government to force state-run and private gas companies to ensure regular supplies to power plants.