Auction only fair method of allocating natural resources: BJP

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley batted for competitive bidding in allocation of all natural resources--other than air and water--for commercial use.

"Water and air cannot be auctioned as they are critical for life support. BJP is clear that a fair criteria should be adopted for allocation of natural resources. Competitive bidding should be the practice in allocating natural resources for commercial use", he said adding "discretion without auctions will open the floodgates of corruption".

In response to a presidential reference following the apex court verdict on 2G spectrum allocation, the Supreme Court today said the auction route was not the only method for allocating natural resources.

 

The five-judge apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia said auction could be a better option where the aim is maximisation of revenue but then "every method other than auction of natural resources cannot be shut down".