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Telecom industry now in spectrum surplus position vs surplus scarcity before last auctions: Arun Jaitely

India sold the largest amount of spectrum last November, raising Rs 65,789.12 crore with Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel emerging as the biggest buyers of 4G airwaves

By , ET Bureau | Updated:
Telecom industry now in spectrum surplus position vs surplus scarcity before last auctions: Arun Jaitely
NEW DELHI: Last year’s spectrum auctions has helped the telecom industry move to a scenario of spectrum surplus from spectrum scarcity, and will help in broadband connectivity, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said Wednesday.

Unveiling the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2017-18, Jaitely said that telecom was a critical part of infrastructure and was imperative for connecting the unconnected.

India sold the largest amount of spectrum last November, raising Rs 65,789.12 crore with Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel emerging as the biggest buyers of 4G airwaves, followed by newcomer Reliance Jio Infocomm and Idea Cellular.

Despite all mobile phone operators giving the expensive 700 MHz band — considered the best for 4G services — a miss, the government sold 964.8 MHz of spectrum – the highest ever – as operators beefed up on their spectrum holdings.

The telecom department had put on sale over 2300 MHz of spectrum.
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If Budget sounds Greek to you, this could help
1/9
The Union Budget can sound all greek for some. If you are one of them, this could help.

Here's a guide to the India's most important financial statement.
The Union Budget can sound all greek for some. If you are one of them, this could help. Here's a guide to the India's most important financial statement.
According to Article 112 of the Constitution of India, the Union Budget of a year is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the government for that particular year.
According to Article 112 of the Constitution of India, the Union Budget of a year is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the government for that particular year.
Budget is made through a consultative process involving ministry of finance, NITI Aayog and spending ministries.

Finance ministry issues guidelines to spending based on which ministries present their demands.

The Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry is the nodal body responsible for producing the Budget.
Budget is made through a consultative process involving ministry of finance, NITI Aayog and spending ministries. Finance ministry issues guidelines to spending based on which ministries present thei..
Read More
Budget Division issues a circular to all Union ministries, states, UTs, autonomous bodies, depts and the defence forces for preparing the estimates for the next year.

After ministries & departments send in their demands, extensive consultations are held between Union ministries and the Department of Expenditure of the finance ministry.

At the same time, the Department of Economic Affairs and Department of Revenue meet stakeholders such as farmers, businessmen, FIIs, economists and civil society groups to take their views.

Once the, pre-Budget meetings are over, a final call on the tax proposals is taken by the finance minister. The proposals are discussed with the PM before the Budget is frozen.
Budget Division issues a circular to all Union ministries, states, UTs, autonomous bodies, depts and the defence forces for preparing the estimates for the next year. After ministries & departments ..
Read More
The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat seeks approval of President after the Speaker agrees to the date suggested by the government.

FM presents the budget in the Lok Sabha outlining key estimates and proposals.

Finance Minister briefs the cabinet on the budget proposals through a 'summary for the cabinet' just before he presents the budget.

The ‘Annual Financial Statement’ is laid on the Table of the Rajya Sabha after the FM’s speech.

On the morning of the budget, the government seeks President’s approval through a “Summary for the President” approved by the FM and PM.
The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat seeks approval of President after the Speaker agrees to the date suggested by the government. FM presents the budget in the Lok Sabha outlining key..
Read More
FM’s budget speech has two parts. Part A deals with general economic survey of the country and policy statements. Part B contains tax proposals.

The ‘Annual Financial Statement’ is laid on the Table of the Rajya Sabha after the FM’s speech.

No discussion takes place the day the budget is presented.
FM’s budget speech has two parts. Part A deals with general economic survey of the country and policy statements. Part B contains tax proposals. The ‘Annual Financial Statement’ is laid on the Table..
Read More
Budget debate is split into TWO PARTS

General discussion

A few days after the budget, there is a general discussion in Lok Sabha for 2-3 days.

The FM replies to the debate at the end of the discussion.

A ‘VOTE-ON-ACCOUNT’ for expenditure in initial months of financial year is obtained from Parliament.

The House is adjourned for a fixed period.
Budget debate is split into TWO PARTS General discussion A few days after the budget, there is a general discussion in Lok Sabha for 2-3 days. The FM replies to the debate at the end of the discus..
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During the break, demands for grants are considered by relevant standing committees.

These demands are taken up one by one as per a schedule decided by the business advisory committee of house.

Any member can seek a cut in allocation through one of the three cut motions:

1. Disapproval of Policy Cut
2. Economy Cut
3. Token Cut

On the last day of the discussion on the Demands for Grants, the Speaker puts all the outstanding Demands for Grants to the vote in the House.
During the break, demands for grants are considered by relevant standing committees. These demands are taken up one by one as per a schedule decided by the business advisory committee of house. Any..
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After the demand for grants, Appropriation Bill is put to vote in Lok Sabha. It gives the government powers to spend from the Consolidated Fund of India.

After the Appropriation Bill, Finance Bill is considered and passed by Parliament as a Money Bill.

The bill is required to be passed by both the Houses and receive assent of the President within 75 days of its introduction.

Once the Finance Bill is passed and signed by the President, the budget process is over.
After the demand for grants, Appropriation Bill is put to vote in Lok Sabha. It gives the government powers to spend from the Consolidated Fund of India. After the Appropriation Bill, Finance Bill i..
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Union Budget 2017 |Telecom |Vodafone |Bharti Airtel |Idea Cellular |Arun Jaitely |Reliance Jio Infocomm

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