Attorney General R Venkataramani said that an application has been filed by the Center on April 22, 2024 to amend the order given by the Supreme Court in the 2G spectrum scam. In this, the court has been asked whether 2G spectrum can be given through administrative system. This is a contradiction of the order given by the court after the 2G scam that all the spectrum should be given through the auction process.
What was 2G scam?
The 2G scam was one of the most talked about scams in the country at that time. In 2008, the then Telecom Minister A Raja had allotted 2G spectrum to 122 private telecom companies on a ‘first come first serve’ basis. From 2009 onwards, allegations started being made that there was major manipulation in 2G spectrum allocation. After this, CBI registered FIA and started investigation. In 2010, CAG had come out with a report in which it was stated that there was a big scam in 2G spectrum allocation and due to this the country suffered a loss of about Rs 1.76 lakh crore. It was also revealed in the scam that 122 licenses were given in 2008 at the price of 2001.
Why did the government file the application?
As per the Supreme Court order in the 2G spectrum scam, the allocation of spectrum will be done only on the basis of auction. But the central government said that the use of spectrum is not only commercial. Spectrum is used for public safety, disaster and other purposes. In such a situation, auctioning the spectrum is not economically sound. Where spectrum is used only one time or for some time.
Apart from this, the Supreme Court had said in the order of 2G spectrum scam that sale of all natural resources through auction is not a constitutional principle. The court respects the knowledge of experts in this matter. Citing this judgment, the Center has sought clarity on whether it can allocate 2G spectrum through the administrative process in future (if so determined through due process as per law). In situations where auction is not in the interest for public or technical and economic reasons.
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