No regrets over 2G spectrum allocation report: Rai

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 20 2014 | 9:17 PM IST
Former CAG Vinod Rai said he has no regrets about his report on 2G spectrum allocation, which pegged notional losses to the exchequer at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
"I don't regret the figure at all because markets are dynamic. Prices are dictated by supply and demand at that point of time," he said today in response to a question on whether he stood by his report on the 2G spectrum allocation.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said the government incurred a notional loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore. The report tabled in Parliament in 2010 created a political storm and also led to the cancellation of 122 licences by the Supreme Court in February 2012.
Rai, speaking to CNBC TV18, said that figures are dynamic and may change over time.
"A figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore may not hold true in 2014. The figure of 2001, which was taken for sale in 2008, was not correct and was told to the department by a person no less than the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister.
"Figures hold true depending upon the situation that persist at that point of time. May be three years down the line Rs 1.76 lakh crore would appear to be too small," he said.
Replying to questions on the CAG's report on coal block allocations, Rai said out of the 57 mines allotted in 2005, mining has not started in 56, indicating that the objectives have not been met.
"You should have taken a decision long time back to scrap it and give it to somebody else who probably was a better person to exploit that potential that you had alloted," he said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 20 2014 | 9:17 PM IST

Next Story