Policy must take care of people, not profits: Sibal

Union Communications and IT minister Kapil Sibal said on Monday that any government policy should aim at empowering the common man, and that enhancing the government treasury should not be its sole objective.

Union Communications and IT minister Kapil Sibal said on Monday that any government policy should aim at empowering the common man, and that enhancing the government treasury should not be its sole objective.

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This is important in view of the recently concluded auction for 2G spectrum in which the government did not receive any bids for four circles. The government has now lowered the reserve price and a fresh auction will take place in March.

“The government should not be looking for enhancing, filling up their pockets...government should be looking at empowering people so that they can fill their pockets. That has to be the objective and policy of the government,” said Sibal at an event organised by Assocham, a leading industry chamber.

He also said that if the government is able to reach to the man on street through its policy decisions, then the policy is right.

He also pointed out that half of the Indian population does not have mobile phones. “There is an enormous opportunity. Forget about 3G, there is enough opportunity for 2G,” said Sibal.

He said there is a need for developing an industry to manufacture the right devices, which is another must-have, as networks are of no use in the absence of devices.