TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The government on Saturday mounted a spirited defence of home minister P Chidamabaram in the backdrop of intensifying calls by the opposition for his resignation over his alleged role in the 2G scam.
Speaking to reporters,telecom minister Kapil Sibal said,The finance ministry had no knowledge that the LoIs (letters of intent for 2G licence) would be issued on January 10,2008. He argued that Chidambaram was in no way responsible for the issuance of LoIs or charging the entry fee of Rs 1,650 crore.It is preposterous to suggest that P Chidambaram had any role to play in fixing the entry fee for LoIs.
Sibal,however,admitted the government is aware that there may have been irregularities or misconduct in the implementation of the policy. Distancing the Prime Minister from A Raja in view of the five letters exchanged between them from November 2007 to January 2008,he pointed out that Raja had categorically assured the PM that the policy would be implemented in a fair and transparent manner.
Sibal accused the NDA and others of making an attempt to malign and defame Chidambaram.He argued that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recommended no change in the policy of allotting 2G spectrum on the grounds of level playing field,and that the DoT had strongly relied on the said recommendations.He emphasized that DoT had merely followed Trais recommendations relating to no auction;no cap on the number of licenses;firstcome-first-served basis;same entry fee (Rs 1,658 crore as in 2001);and license bundled with spectrum.
Sibal,however,admitted the government is aware that there may have been irregularities or misconduct in the implementation of the policy. Distancing the Prime Minister from A Raja in view of the five letters exchanged between them from November 2007 to January 2008,he pointed out that Raja had categorically assured the PM that the policy would be implemented in a fair and transparent manner.
Sibal accused the NDA and others of making an attempt to malign and defame Chidambaram.He argued that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recommended no change in the policy of allotting 2G spectrum on the grounds of level playing field,and that the DoT had strongly relied on the said recommendations.He emphasized that DoT had merely followed Trais recommendations relating to no auction;no cap on the number of licenses;firstcome-first-served basis;same entry fee (Rs 1,658 crore as in 2001);and license bundled with spectrum.
Sibal said it was Chidambaram who had raised the issue of revision of entry fee,but that the final view was taken by DoT and cited the CBIs submission to the Supreme Court which had given all officials of the finance ministry and Chidambaram a clean chit.
Any attempt to foist any culpability on Chidambaram is not only irresponsible but is yet another desperate attempt to make the institution of democracy dysfunctional, he added.
Must probe PCs role,insists opposition
The BJP on Saturday dismissed the governments contention that P Chidambaram as the then finance minister had no hand in the 2G scam and demanded that his role be properly investigated in the case.What the BJP is demanding is determining Chidambarams role as then finance minister in the spectrum scam, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.Criticizing governments move to come out in strong defence of the home minister,Prasad said,It is surprising that after... Pranab Mukherjee,now it is the turn of Kapil Sibal to appease a sulking Chidambaram. Prasad claimed that Chidambaram did not take appropriate steps to ensure auction of spectrum in an honest and transparent manner. PTI
REMEMBER SIBAL SAID 0 Loss earlier and RAJA INNOCENT
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