2G case: NTP 1999 aimed at increase competitiveness, says CBI

CBI today told a special court hearing final arguments in the 2G spectrum allocation case in which ex-Telecom Minister A Raja and others are facing trial about New Telecom Policy (NTP) of 1999 which sought to increase competitiveness and transparency in the sector.
Special public prosecutor Anand Grover said that NTP 1999 was brought in place of the earlier telecom policy of 1994 to enable larger competition and participation of private sector.
"The objective of new telecom policy of 1999 was to transform telecom sector and bring more competitiveness into it. Government of India was of the idea that a world class infrastructure was needed to develop telecommunication sector in the country," he told Special CBI Judge O P Saini.

Grover said that earlier the private sector was not coming forward as telecom operators were unable to arrange finances and government was worried with this fact.
"Nothing was helping, so a new perspective was needed to work out and to help in fulfilling India's vision of becoming an IT power. The purpose was to bring competitive environment and provide equal and level playing field for everyone," he said.
The ongoing final arguments remained inconclusive and would continue on August 7.

CBI had earlier alleged that Raja had "misled" the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on policy matters pertaining to 2G spectrum allocation in conspiracy with others to favour certain firms.

It had alleged that favour was done to "ineligible" firms Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd and Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd at the behest of Raja who had changed the first-come-first-served policy to suit them.
Besides Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others are facing trial in the case.