No reason given for non-allocation of spectrum in Delhi area, says Tata Teleservices

NEW DELHI: A top official of Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) today told a Delhi court that "no reason" was given to them for non-allocation of 2G spectrum in Delhi service area in 2008 during A Raja's tenure as Telecom Minister.

Anand Dalal, senior Vice President, Corporate Regulatory Affairs, TTSL, told Special CBI Judge O P Saini that they did not get spectrum for Delhi till date despite being ahead in priority as "payment was the only criteria".

"We have also not been allocated any spectrum for 39 districts spread over nine circles. We had sent many reminders regarding non-allocation of spectrum for Delhi service area and for the other 39 districts.

"No reason was mentioned to us for non-allocation of spectrum for Delhi service area and other districts," he said.

His statement assumes significance as CBI had alleged that Raja favoured Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, a co-accused in the case, while granting spectrum for Delhi service area which had only one vacant slot.

Dalal, whose recording of statement would continue tomorrow, said that after they did not get spectrum in Delhi service area despite writing several reminders to Department of Telecom (DoT), they filed a petition before TDSAT.

"In that petition, it was contended by us that since we were existing operators, we should not be clubbed with the new applicants/ LoI holder as on January 10, 2008, and as such, we were entitled to spectrum on priority basis in Delhi service area," he said.

Dalal said TDSAT gave its judgement in favour of their company.