2G pangs

Growth is slowing, foreign direct investment has dwindled, the fisc is out of control and India is fighting a grim battle against inflation. But guess what’s keeping the economic affairs department in the finance ministry overworked these days? It’s the investigation of the 2G spectrum scam. Since the department was involved in the revenue implications of the controversy over auction-versus-sale of 2G licences, bureaucrats here spend a great deal of extra time answering queries on the subject. No surprise, officials term it a pain in the neck that is unlikely to subside soon.