New Delhi, Dec. 25: The former telecom minister, Mr A. Raja, was questioned about the alleged favour given by the DoT to three telecom companies in allowing the use of GSM technology for the first time for grant of unified access service (UAS) licenses while processing the 2G spectrum issue, CBI sources said.
The DoT on October 17, 2007 had permitted the use of alternative GSM technology for UAS licences. Three major companies, which had applied for the same, were even conveyed about the decision on October 18 itself telling them that their demand has been accepted ‘in principle’, while the decision was made public only on October 19, 2007, sources added. Sources further said officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were also present during Raja’s questioning on Saturday.
He was asked the reasons for ignoring the letter of the member (technology) of the Telecom Commission sent in 2007. The letter was sent to the secretary, department of legal affairs, on October 26, 2007, for legal opinion on 2G licences. “Why was the legal opinion not taken by the DoT over the issue?” the CBI asked Mr Raja, according to sources.
Mr Raja was also asked question about his sudden decision to defer the scheduled meeting of the Telecom Commission on January 7, 2008.
“On January 3, 2008 a meeting of full telecom commission was fixed for January 9 to discuss the spectrum fee and performance of telecom sector. But on January 7, 2008, the scheduled meeting of the Commission was deferred to January 15 without specifying any reason. Raja was asked to explain the reasons,” sources said.
Besides, the ED, which is also probing the 2G spectrum scam, has reportedly decided to send a Letter of Request to authorities in certain countries in order to gather details about the alleged investments made by those who reportedly benefited from the 2G spectrum scam. The ED has already registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against unknown officials of the DoT and unknown private companies in connection with the award of new telecom licenses in 2008.
“The ED is likely to send LR to tax havens like Isle of Man, Cyprus and Mauritius besides UAE, Norway, Singapore, Libya, and Russia,” sources said.