SC verdict 'long overdue': Jaswant Singh

Coimbatore, Feb 3: Terming the Supreme Court verdict on 2G scam as ''well-deserved'' and ''long overdue,'' BJP leader Jaswant Singh today said it was a shame that the success story of the telecom revolution in India was being ''sullied'' by UPA government's activities on the issue.

"I am also disappointed by the first reaction of the Government, articulated by the Telecommunications Minister, Kapil Sibal, transferring the very responsibility on NDA and a (former) minister, who is arrested and languishing in jail for the last one year" the former Finance Minister told PTI.

Reacting to the apex verdict on cancelling the 2G spectrum licences yesterday, Singh, who was also former Exernal Affairs Minister in the Vajpayee-led NDA government, said, "The honourable minister is trying to transfer the responsibility in a disingenous manner."

While blaming the NDA for the 2003 policy which the UPA implemented, Sibal had sought to shift blame on irregularities in the manner in which it was implemented on then Telecom Minister A Raja.

"The Supreme Court has clearly said that the then minister (Raja) did not heed to the good advise of both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Finance Ministry," Sibal had said.

However, Singh said he was very glad by the verdict, which was "well deserved and long over due."

Asked if there was need for Sibal to resign in view of his claim of zero loss in 2G allocation, Singh said with the court quantifying the loss, Sibal should spread this information (of loss), instead of continuing to talk of zero loss.

PTI