2G Scam: How radio waves transpired as corruption waves

By Aadil Masood, SiliconIndia   |   Tuesday, 16 November 2010, 02:32 IST   |    1 Comments
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Bangalore:Its irony when business is done on 'first-come-first-served basis' and that too when huge stakes are involved.It remains a mystery for common man as what was it that made former Telecom Minister A. Raja sold 2 G spectrum for Rs 1,651 crore to 22 circles. Even though,Prime Minister,Manmohan Singh had categorically written to A. Raja that auction should be done at higher price. In a letter to Raja on November 2, 2007,the PM said: "In order that spectrum use efficiency gets directly linked with correct pricing of spectrum, consider (i) introduction of a transparent methodology of auction, wherever legally and technically feasible, and (ii) revision of entry fee, which is currently benchmarked on old spectrum auction figures." However, Raja went ahead and granted licenses something which the PM had cautioned against. It needs no rocket science to understand the level of corruption and dirty politics involved when the selling of 3G is compared to 2G Spectrum. The auction of the 3G shows government has managed to raise 67,718.95 crores from the auction, with 50,968.37 crores from private telecom operators, and 16,750.58 crores from the state owned telecom operators BSNL and MTNL. The estimated government loss in 2G is Rs 40-60,000 crore since there was no auction. 2G license was granted for just Rs 1,651 crore. In simple terms, 3G was sold at 10 times higher price than 2G. "In order to avoid embarrassment to the government and maintain peace and harmony in Parliament, my leader M Karunanidhi has advised me to resign," Raja told newspersons after submitting his papers to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."We will prove that everything has been done according to the law," the embattled Raja told reporters, a day after the opposition stalled proceedings in Parliament for the second consecutive day demanding his resignation. But who will answer the million dollar question who one should blame about the irregularities and loss to the exchequer. This year is marred by the scams.India is under vicious circle of scams, one after another. From politics to business to games, an unending saga of scams. Cancer seems to be so deep that it has made every institution defunct. Raja's term as Telecom Minister came under a cloud after a report by the Government's auditor blamed him for costing the government close to 1.7 lakh crore by undervaluing 2G spectrum in 2008, and, by following unfair practices in deciding who would be awarded 2G licenses. The Comptroller and Auditor General's report (CAG) is to be tabled in Parliament shortly. The Supreme Court which is monitoring the case is scheduled to hear the matter.The Opposition has also been asking for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the scam. Let's all keep faith in judiciary and finally;'let truth prevail'.