Spectrum shadow looms on NDA now

The telecom scandal seems to be staining the NDA regime too. There are indications that the allocation of “excess” spectrum to some private companies in 2002 was not cleared by the BJP-led Cabinet.

The telecom scandal seems to be staining the NDA regime too. There are indications that the allocation of “excess” spectrum to some private companies in 2002 was not cleared by the BJP-led Cabinet.

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After the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meet on Friday, chairman PC Chacko said the panel would ask the then secretary of the telecom department (DoT) whether the allotment of “excess spectrum” was an administrative decision or had cabinet nod.

The issue is important as subsequent decisions in this regard were taken by the ministry and not referred to the Cabinet.

Reacting to queries from JPC members, MS Verma, who chaired the Trai from March 2000-2003, said the government did not refer the matter of excess spectrum allocation to the telecom regulator in 2002.

Trai also did not use its power to make suo motu recommendations as he had taken over in 2000, while the migration package related to 1999.

Verma, however, admitted that spectrum audit can be effectively done by Trai.

To a query, Chacko said while Trai recommendations are not binding on the government, efficient management of available spectrum comes under the powers of Trai.’

Briefing on the JPC’s discussion, he said upto 10mhz of “excess was given to some companies. On Thursday, DoT reportedly told the panel that the fund implication of the NDA regime’s migration package in 1999 was about R43,523 crore.