No wrong in 2G allocation; action against distortion cases: DoT

The Telecom Ministry today said that it had done no wrong in 2G spectrum licences allocation in 2008, but cautioned the beneficiaries that action would be taken in cases of any misrepresentation of facts.

"All the Unified Access Service (UAS) licences in 2008 were issued as per the policy decisions taken by the government in November 2003 and subsequent detailed guidelines issued in December 2005," the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said in a statement.

DoT further clarified that since 2003 department had issued 51 UAS licenses prior to January 2008 under the same guidelines on 'First Come First Served Basis'.

Licences were granted based on information filed by the applicants as per the prescribed guidelines.

"If any misrepresentation of facts is brought to notice at a later date necessary action can be taken as per due procedure under the relevant rules," the statement added.

DoT statement has come at a time when certain issues have been raised in media regarding grant of UAS licences in 2008 in the context of the filing of an Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court and Draft Audit Report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

According to reports, CAG in its draft report found that there were serious flaws and irregularities in the process of 2G spectrum allocation.

Allegations against Telecom minister A Raja include spectrum being given to realty firm, which was not eligible to enter the telecom business, personally deciding on various cutoff dates in 2007, and later in January 2008, which favoured select companies.

Fingers have also been pointed at Raja on controversial moves like a one hour window to submit a demand draft of very high value for the spectrum, and advancing the last date of submission of applications was directly ordered by A Raja.