The CAG, which is all set to investigate details of the pre-2004 department of telecom (DoT), will likely question NDA officials. The step has been taken after the Central Government’s decision to look into the spectrum allocation procedures and policies during 2001-2009, a period that includes NDA regime. However, the CAG officials on Thursday refused to give details of the NDA officials who are likely to be questioned. Sources pointed out that the decision to summon NDA officials was taken after the
government announced to set up an investigation panel to look into the DoT matter from 2001 to the present date.
During the a media briefing earlier in the month, telecom minister Kapil Sibal confirmed that a one-man committee of retired Supreme Court Justice Shivraj V Patil, will “examine appropriateness of procedures (adopted) by DoT in the issuance of licences and allocation of spectrum during the period 2001-2009”. Sources further pointed out that the CAG will start investigating in pre-2004 DoT matters from 15 January and will likely provide details to the special committee appointed by the government to investigate the pre-2004 DoT matters. The inquiry by the one-man committee is likely to be completed in four weeks after starting in the end of January so that the government knows the entire gamut of procedures adopted for grant of spectrum not only to 122 licences (by former telecom minister A. Raja in 2008) but also before that, both in the category of start-up and additional spectrum, confirmed sources. “The objective of the CAG role in investigating the pre-2004 DoT matters is to help the committee know how the spectrum was given and we will put this in the public domain,” added sources in the CAG.