Telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Friday sent a three-page top-secret note to prime minister Manmohan SIngh on the 2G spectrum, arguing that the spectrum policy has remained the same from the time of the NDA rule to the UPA. Insiders say that both the governments had shaped the policy with one priority in mind: to provide cheaper phone call rates to the common user. Those in the know confirm that Sibal has also taken PMO into confidence before filing a counter-affidavit before the Supreme Court in the 2G spectrum scam.

Chandrasekhar meets Sarma

Telecom secretary R Chandrasekhar on Friday met his predecessor K Sarma, who is now chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority, to explain the government position on a range of 2G spectrum issues. He also wished to learn more from Sarma about how he handled such a ticklish issue during his stint as telecom secretary. In Sanchar Bhavan, the grapevine is that Sarma may also be examined by the investigating agency. If so, then Chandrasekhar’s meeting could prove to be timely.

CBI quizzes Vaish

CBI examined Vinod Vaish, former telecom secretary, on 2G spectrum allocation, leading to a scare among the former telecom secretaries. Three secretaries met the prime minister and made a joint plea that they could do without this mental torture.

Meanwhile, among other grapewine stories….

* Sashidhar Reddy, an MLA from Andhra Pradesh, has been appointed vice chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority. He holds the status of union (cabinet) minister. The government order issued by the home ministry specifically says that Reddy shall hold the position of cabinet minister outside the state of Andhra Pradesh. Many in North Block wonder what is the catch .

* Our MPs are returning disappointed from the State Bank of India branch inside the Parliament House, as they are not getting new Rs 5 and Rs 10 and  Rs 2 and Rs 5 coins. The chief manager says the workers at the Government of India mint are on strike, so there are no new coins, and Rs 10 notes are not coming from Mumbai due to a transport strike. Some MPs are fuming, as they need crisp notes during this marriage season to make garlands for bridegrooms. Outside the bank, the murmur was that the new notes are sold at a premium of about 10 percent.

* Anil Kumar and Shymal Ghosh have interchanged their posts. Ghosh was textile secretary and he has been overnight shifted to telecom, while Kumar has gone to textiles. Why so?