2G directions implemented ‘fully in accordance’, claims Centre
23 Nov 2012 8:05 AM IST
The government Thursday told the Supreme Court that it had acted ‘fully in accordance’ with its judgment on the auction of cancelled 2G licences. The government, in an affidavit, said that its decision on the auction was also influenced by market dynamics in telecom sector.
Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar told the court that ‘the decision as to the quantum of spectrum to be placed in auction may also be appreciated in the context of the market dynamics operating in the telecom sector’.
Defending the decision not to put up the entire spectrum for auction, the affidavit said that the government decision to auction 390 MHz of spectrum as against 473.6 MHz that became available following the cancellation of 122 2G licenses in February had been taken for ‘cogent and valid reasons’.It said that the decision to put only 390 MHz to auction Nov 12-14 was taken after the government held extensive consultation on the telecom regulator's recommendation.
‘The realisation of optimal revenue by the government in public interest requires a judicious decision regarding the balance between demand and supply of spectrum in the auction process,’ Chandrashekhar said in his affidavit. The affidavit said operators whose licences had been quashed by the SC were already in the process of winding up.
COURT LETS RAJA VISIT TAMIL NADU
Former Telecom Minister A Raja, facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case, was on Thursday allowed by a Delhi court to visit Tamil Nadu till 25 Nov from tomorrow. Special CBI Judge O P Saini gave Raja permission to visit Tamil Nadu on his plea, after it was not opposed by the CBI. The court also allowed the plea of Swan Telecom promoter and 2G case accused Vinod Goenka to visit Sri Lanka from 26 Nov to 28 Nov for business purposes. Raja sought permission to visit his native place because the court, while granting him bail on 15 May this year, had stipulated that he would not visit his home state without its prior permission. ‘Accused A Raja has filed an application for permission to visit Tamil Nadu from 23 Nov till the night of 25 Nov. ‘Senior Public Prosecutor has no objection to the prayer. Prayer allowed.’
Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar told the court that ‘the decision as to the quantum of spectrum to be placed in auction may also be appreciated in the context of the market dynamics operating in the telecom sector’.
Defending the decision not to put up the entire spectrum for auction, the affidavit said that the government decision to auction 390 MHz of spectrum as against 473.6 MHz that became available following the cancellation of 122 2G licenses in February had been taken for ‘cogent and valid reasons’.It said that the decision to put only 390 MHz to auction Nov 12-14 was taken after the government held extensive consultation on the telecom regulator's recommendation.
‘The realisation of optimal revenue by the government in public interest requires a judicious decision regarding the balance between demand and supply of spectrum in the auction process,’ Chandrashekhar said in his affidavit. The affidavit said operators whose licences had been quashed by the SC were already in the process of winding up.
COURT LETS RAJA VISIT TAMIL NADU
Former Telecom Minister A Raja, facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case, was on Thursday allowed by a Delhi court to visit Tamil Nadu till 25 Nov from tomorrow. Special CBI Judge O P Saini gave Raja permission to visit Tamil Nadu on his plea, after it was not opposed by the CBI. The court also allowed the plea of Swan Telecom promoter and 2G case accused Vinod Goenka to visit Sri Lanka from 26 Nov to 28 Nov for business purposes. Raja sought permission to visit his native place because the court, while granting him bail on 15 May this year, had stipulated that he would not visit his home state without its prior permission. ‘Accused A Raja has filed an application for permission to visit Tamil Nadu from 23 Nov till the night of 25 Nov. ‘Senior Public Prosecutor has no objection to the prayer. Prayer allowed.’
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