How Unitech was favoured in 2G spectrum allotment
The CBI probe into the 2G spectrum scam has revealed that the Unitech group of companies, which had applied for the Unified Access Service (UAS) licences, had allegedly nothing to do with “telecom” when it was awarded the licence.
In fact, the documents, as revealed in the agency’s probe, show that the companies were in the “realty” business.
Even the objects of the Unitech group of companies were not changed to “telecom”. Instead, the objects of the group was ambiguously mentioned “as required”, the probe has revealed.
Sources in the agency added further that Unitech group of companies remained ineligible to get the licences right till the date they were awarded the same.
“The Unitech Group was almost last among the applicants considered for allocation of UAS licences and, as per existing policy of first-come-first-served, no licences could be issued in as many as 10 to 13 circles where sufficient spectrum was not available”, sources said.
The Unitech companies got benefit of spectrum in as many 10 circles over the eligible applicants”, sources said.
An accused representative of the company, in conspiracy with accused public servants, was aware of the whole design of the allocation of Letter of Intent (LoI) and, on behalf of the Unitech group of companies, was ready with the drafts of Rs. 1,658 crores on October 10, 2007, when it got the LoI, sources said.
Sources further said, “The cut-off date of September 25, 2007, was decided by accused public servants of DoT primarily to allow consideration of Unitech group of companies for UAS licences”.
The former Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Nripendra Mishra, in his statement before the CBI has categorically said that he had written a letter to the former Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura regarding the issue of linkage of spectrum availability with new licensees in a circle on May 30, 2008.
Mr Mishra further said, “In his reply (dated July 2, 2008) Mr. Behura interpreted the meaning of new mentioning the General Clauses Act, 1897. It was further mentioned that the DoT has been seeking the recommendations of TRAI whenever a new category of license is to be issued. It was also mentioned that no useful purpose would be served by engaging in any further discussion with TRAI on the subject”.
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