FCFS policy followed during 2003-07 to allocate spectrum: CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday argued before a special court that first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy was followed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in allocating spectrum licences to eligible applicant firms during 2003-07. 

CBI’s arguments assume significance as it has alleged in its charge-sheet that during his tenure as Telecom Minister, A Raja had changed this policy in 2008 to favour “ineligible” firms Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd and Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd. Advancing final arguments in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case in which Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others are facing trial, special public prosecutor Anand Grover said that FCFS was the policy of the government and it was an established procedure adopted by the authorities. 

“From 2003 to 2007, a number of licences were issued on the (basis of) FCFS policy....In FCFS policy, <g data-gr-id="14">application</g> received first was to be processed first (by DoT) positively or negatively,” Grover told Special CBI Judge OP Saini.

“Before the time the issue arises in the present case (2G spectrum case), FCFS was the policy which was practised. FCFS was the policy of the government," he said.  Grover's arguments remained inconclusive and would continue on Wednesday.