Issues with Law, Finance ministries resolved on 3G: Raja

The government is all set to start the process of auctioning of spectrum for 3G mobile services as all issues with the Law and the Finance ministries have been resolved, Telecom Minister A Raja said today.

"The Department of Telecom (DoT) will issue Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) from the potential bidders by the end of this week. All pending issues have been resolved," Raja said on sidelines of a function here.

Asked about the date for auction of spectrum, he said, "You can take 40-45 days from the date of issuing NIA."

Going by this, the auction cannot be completed within the current financial year with only 36 days remaining.

The Law Ministry had earlier objected to a clause in the draft NIA that successful bidders may ask for compensation in case they were not alloted spectrum within stipulated time period.

On the issue of number of slots to be auctioned, sources said that three slots would be auctioned across the nation, but in some states the government may decide to allow four private players.

The government had earmarked Rs 35,000 crore proceeds from the sale of spectrum in the current financial year but due to uncertainty over the number of slots and compensation clause, which has been resolved now, the auction is likely to be delayed.