2G scam: CBI investigates role of BJP leaders

Mtoday news / PTI

New Delhi, September 2:  India’s largest swindle, the 2G scam, continues to have a tsunami-like effect on corporate India as well as political parties. A status report submitted by the CBI in the Supreme Court today said, among other things, that investigations are on regarding telephony licenses given out by the Telecom Ministry between the years 2000 and 2007.

 
This period includes some years when the BJP-led NDA was in rule at the Centre and the CBI report states that the allocation of spectrum by Telecom Ministers of that regime, like the late Pramod Mahajan and Arun Shourie, too are being examined. The CBI said it was also examining allotment of licences when BJP leader Jaswant Singh, then Finance Minister, headed a Group of Ministers for Unified Access Service Licence (UASL).

A UASL Licence is required to provide access services like Basic, Cellular and Internet Services for different service areas.
 
The Supreme Cout had, in December 2010 expanded the scope of the CBI’s investigation, saying that since the controversial first-come-first-served policy for granting licences was introduced in 2001, it should be looked into too. The Bench had observed "the issue raised in the case is not limited to only Rs. 1.76 lakh crore but has a much wider compass. We would not like to prejudice the probe. But what happened in 2001 needs to be looked into. It is for the CBI to investigate and find out."
 
Former Telecom Minister A Raja - accused of favouring certain companies in the allotment of 2G spectrum licences for money - while pleading innocence, has maintained right through that he was following the 2001 policy.
 
The BJP, now in Opposition, has reacted swiftly to say it welcomes transparency. BJP general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad said his party had nothing to hide and would cooperate fully with the CBI. "But if CBI tries to clear Maran or Raja, they will be exposed," he said.

Mr Arun Shourie said, "I have explained my side of the story earlier as well and I am always ready to answer any query both in the CBI office or any public platform."
 
In February this year, Mr Shourie had appeared before the CBI in the case and had said he would submit documents prepared by him giving details about broad questions like the first-come- first-served policy. Mr Shourie’s argument is that the issue is not the first-come-first-served policy but that money was made in allotting licences during UPA rule.