AIADMK, DMK clash in RS over spectrum deal

NEW DELHI: The allocation of spectrum created a storm in the Rajya Sabha today with AIADMK members demanding dismissal of Communication Minister A Raja and a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into it, leading to strong protests from arch-rival DMK.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, V Maitreyan, Leader of AIADMK in the House, said spectrum scandal was the "greatest-ever scam" in the recent past and was supported by members from BJP and CPI-M.

Accusing the minister of allotting 2G spectrum for mobile services on first-come first-served basis rather than going in for global auction, Maitreyan said this has led to a loss of nearly Rs 1,00,000 crore.

He alleged that allocation has been made to "mysterious" companies with no experience in telecom and even a real estate company, Unitech, got the license.

Admist strong objections from DMK members Kanimozhi and her party colleagues as also some Congress members, the AIADMK demanded cancellation of the deal and setting up of a JPC to go into the scam.

Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) expressed surprise that the allocation had been granted to "dubious" companies which had nothing to do with telecommunication. Sen also demanded a JPC probe.

Prakash Javadekar (BJP) said the "scam has broken all records" and wanted a similar probe. Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said it was a serious matter and wanted a full-scale debate on it.