PM consults senior ministers on 2G licence cancellation issue

New Delhi, Feb 11: Days after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 licences for 2G spectrum, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday held consultations with senior Cabinet colleagues on its impact on overall telecom sector and the way forward.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Paranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal and Law Minister Salman Khurshid. Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar were also present.

"This meeting was to inform senior ministers as to what are the implications and ramifications of the judgement. This group was not meant to take any decision," Sibal told reporters later.

Chandrashekhar apprised the meeting about the finer points of the judgement and its impact on the telecom sector, amidst fears that the FDI flow could be affected.

The Telecom Secretary gave a "full presentation on what the judgement is about, what it means and when we move forward", Sibal said. "Ultimately all the matters have to go to cabinet so government has to be informed before that in order to take a decision," Telecom Minister said.

PTI