BJP reiterates demand for Raja’s ouster from Cabinet

NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday renewed its demand for telecommunications minister A Raja’s ouster from the Union Cabinet. Citing a CAG report findings that most of the 126 licences issued were illegal, BJP listed out over a dozen points to back its demand. “BJP demands resignation of the minister or immediate removal by the prime minister,” spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman told reporters Monday afternoon.

The statement said the CAG report showed that 75 of the 126 licences were given without an auction and the total loss to the exchequer was Rs 70,000 crore. The granting of Unified Access Services Licence in a service area is governed by the guidelines issued on December 14, 2005, by the department of telecom.

“Licences have been awarded to companies, five of which did not have any experience in the telecom sector — they have gained the rights to spectrum band at throwaway prices,” it said. CAG has indicted Unitech, Loop, Swan, Dotcom and Allianz Intra. They together hold over 75 of the total 126 licences, which have been given out without any auction.

The estimated loss was Rs 60,000 crore, BJP said. The cut off dates were decided by the minister, who it said had favoured companies on a first-come-first served basis in January 2008. CBI affidavit described the issue as complex, requiring deeper investigation.

BJP also said that CAG had detected cases of forgery and that there was gross violation of the DoT guidelines. “The minister has personally approved the sanctions on first-come-first-served basis. Cut off dates were amended by him. One hour window time given for depositing demand drafts,” it said.

The Supreme Court, which is monitoring the 2G spectrum allocation issue, had given a deadline of 10 days, which ends on Tuesday.