BJP ridicules Kapil Sibal for zero loss claim

Says announcement related to the new spectrum pricing devoid of any long term vision

GN Bureau | August 7, 2012



The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said the UPA government stands exposed by setting new floor price for the 2G spectrum at Rs 14,000 for a Pan India licence as its own earlier stand of zero loss at Rs 1,650 crore stands exposed.

"Kapil Sibal had earlier vehemently defended A Raja's action of sanctioning spectrum at Rs 1,650 crore. Now, he owes an explanation whether zero loss argument had any merit or made out of political expediency," party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said.

His zero loss argument was a shameless attempt to defend corruption, he said and asserted that the government owes an explanation for the basis of arriving at even this price of Rs 14,000 crore when the reserve price of Rs 18,000 plus recommended by TRAI was arrived at after following a methodical approach, Javadekar said.

He said it is a question of propriety as to why the government did not refer back to the TRAI, the re-jig of the reserve price from Rs 18,000 crore to 14,000 crore? The government also needs to clarify how they are going to ensure fair auction process and allay widespread fears of cartelization, he said.

"Given the critical position of telecommunications in the overall economic competitiveness of India and its large size within the economy, BJP finds the announcements related to the new spectrum pricing devoid of any long term vision on ensuring the health of the industry and protecting the interests of the millions of consumers affected by the misdeeds of the Government."

The BJP is very disappointed at the complete mishandling of this important natural resource and seeks remedies from the government at the earliest, Javadekar added.


 

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