CPM demands Centre to clarify spectrum allotment

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) insisted that the Union Government should take appropriate steps to ensure accountability in the controversial spectrum allotment issue in the wake of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid on offices of the Department of Telecom (DoT).

Addressing the media here on Friday Rajya Sabha Member Sitaram Yechury, said : The CBI raid on the DoT confirms the suspicion all of us had and the demand CPM has been making for a prolonged time (is) that there should be a thorough enquiry into the manner in which 2G spectrum sale was conducted by the government."

"On that basis we think this actually vindicates that there is something that needs to be probed and there is somebody who needs to be accountable and this we have to be transparently dealt by the government," he added.

On Thursday, the CBI searched the Telecom Ministry's office at Sanchar Bhavan in the national capital to ascertain the alleged irregularities involving officials and private companies over allocation of spectrum to new players.

Yechury added that the Centre should make sure that the similar loss of revenue should be not be recur during the 3G spectrum deal.

"Those who are responsible for a massive loss of revenue for the government.... And therefore should be brought to books. If possible, these matters have to be corrected to recover some revenue and to ensure as far as the 3G is concerned such shouldn't be repeated," he said.

In 2008, eight new companies were given licenses along with bundled 4.4 MHz spectrum to start mobile telephone services.

Earlier, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) had taken a serious note and criticised the Telecom Ministry for doling out spectrum at a very cheap rate as compared to the actual market value.

The CVC had recommended a CBI probe into the procedures followed for selecting companies for giving 2G spectrum. (ANI)