PM to meet senior ministers on 2G auctioning in crucial meet

New Delhi, Feb 11: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet senior ministers in a crucial meeting on the 2G spectrum scam. The meet is expected to discuss and review the rules that will apply if the 2G spectrum licenses need to be auctioned in the event of the Supreme Court cancelling them.

The PM will also contemplate if the 2G licenses need to be cancelled that were given to telecom majors before 2008. Major players like Tata and Bharti-Airtel were provided these licenses free during that period.

The move is likely to allow a level playing field for all operators who will now have to bid afresh for the 2G licenses. The landmark judgement by the Supreme Court saw 122 licenses being quashed that were offered during then Telecom Minister A Raja's tainted regime.

The apex court's decision to quash the licenses had led to huge embarrassment and is understood to have impacted the country's image on the world stage. The fact that the move will also be detrimental to foreign investor confidence cannot be forgotten. This is yet another blow to the already scam and corruption hit UPA government.

Then Telecom Minister A Raja is alleged to be the mastermind of the scam and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. He has been charged off selling spectrum at throwaway prices to certain parties in return for kickbacks. The speculated loss to the country's exchequer is touted to be Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

OneIndia News