Reports on loss in S-band spectrum allocation baseless: PMO

New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The Prime Minister''s Office todaydenied media reports alleging that the government had incurredlosses in allocation of S-band spectrum, saying no decisionhas been taken on the issue and hence charges of revenue losswere without basis.

A statement from the PMO spokesperson stated that theoffice had seen media reports alleging loss of governmentrevenue in a contract entered into by ANTRIX (the commercialarm of Indian Space Research Organisation) and DevasMultimedia Private Limited due to lease of space segmentcapacity which would use S-Band spectrum.

"The CAG''s office and Department of Space have alreadyissued statements stating the factual position on the matter.

It is further clarified that no decision has been taken by thegovernment to allocate space segment using S-Band spectrum toANTRIX or Devas. Hence, the question of revenue loss does notarise and any such reports are without basis in fact," the PMOstatement said.

Media reports had stated that the Department of Space,which comes directly under the Prime Minister, had allocated70 MHz of S-Band spectrum to Devas Multimedia for Rs 1,000crore. The actual value of this was estimated to be around Rs2 lakh crore, the reports claimed.

The Opposition had demanded a clarification from thePrime Minister on the issue and immediate recovery of the lostrevenue along with a thorough inquiry into the matter.

BJP had alleged that the allocation was done quietly andwithout bringing the issue into the public domain.