Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik on Tuesday termed the Supreme Court judgement on halting of HPCL and BPCL divestment as 'historic.'

He said the divestment ministry would decide the future course of action.

"After receipt of the full judgement, the nodal ministry (divestment ministry) will study the order and ask for comments from the concerned ministry (petroleum and gas). The Union Cabinet will take then a decision in the matter," Naik told newspersons in Mumbai.

He said the Supreme Court was the 'supreme authority' and the government would abide by its order. He said he was yet to go through the copy of the judgement.