Crucial note on allocation missing, say ex-DoT officials

Two top former officials of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have told CBI that a crucial note related to 2G spectrum allocation policy is missing from the official files. Bhadra Sinha reports.

Two top former officials of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have told CBI that a crucial note related to 2G spectrum allocation policy is missing from the official files.

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Former telecom secretary DS Mathur and former member (finance) Manju Madhavan, who had opposed former telecom minister A Raja’s policy on spectrum allocation, said the now-missing note talked about options available for allocation, including auctioning of the spectrum.

The CBI did not have a copy of this note until Mathur gave it to the agency during his questioning in December 2010.

While seeking extension of Raja’s remand, the CBI had in February 2011 told a court some documents crucial to establish the chain of events leading to the scam were missing. Absence of the original note could make it difficult for the CBI to prove it in court during trial.

In her statement to the CBI, Madhavan said she had prepared a note in October 2007 elaborating on the alternatives that the ministry could follow to grant 2G licence and allocate spectrum. The note gave various options, including auction, for fixing of the entry fees.

Madhavan’s note was supported by Mathur, who had forwarded it to Raja. Madhavan and Mathur told the CBI the said note never came back from the minister’s office. Mathur said, “…. the said note never came back and does not appear to be a part of any policy file.”

Mathur had supported Madhavan’s note based on the suggestions of ministry’s department of economic affairs. He put the file before Raja, who expressed displeasure saying the officials concerned did not have knowledge of the guidelines.