More troubles seems to be in store for former communications minister A. Raja with the CBI deciding to convert its existing ‘preliminary enquiry’ (PE), registered to probe alleged irregularities in the award of BSNL’s WiMax franchise to a private firm, into a regular case.
Sources said the CBI is set to convert its PE into a regular case on Friday. According to sources, the agency officials are expected to collect some fresh documents related to the contract, which was awarded during A. Raja’s tenure (in 2009), from the BSNL on Friday.
“Probe by the agency has revealed that some BSNL officials allegedly played crucial role in awarding WiMax franchise to a private firm. Immediately after registering a regular case, CBI sleuths will call BSNL officials for questioning”, sources said. Wimax is one of the technologies that offer wireless broadband services.
Sources further said, “The BSNL on June 3, 2009, floated tender for short-listing bidders for WiMax franchise. Probe has revealed that the BSNL officials allegedly diluted certain terms and conditions of the contract to favour a particular company”.
There are allegations that the private company was given BSNL’s Wimax franchise in six circles despite failing to meet laid down specifications, sources added.
Probe has also revealed that total five companies had applied for the franchisee. But the BSNL officials allegedly favoured the company that bagged the deal, sources said. The agency officials are examining the role of A Raja in finalising this deal, sources added. “
The agency officials during investigation into the PE found that the DoT even ignored the recommendations of its own committee while finalizing the Wimax franchise deal.
The DoT committee, headed by the then telecom commission member (finance), in its report had said the terms offered by the franchisees were ‘not in the financial interest of BSNL’ and that the deal need to be reviewed,” sources said.