Spectrum allocation: Raja defends himself

Amidst a sharp attack by the Opposition on the spectrum allocation controversy,Telecom Minister A Raja strongly defended the government and his actions on the issue. Rejecting the argument that spectrum allocation,instead of auction,had resulted in huge revenue losses for the government and deprived the common man of cheaper services,Raja claimed the 2G and 3G spectrum categories were markedly different from each other and said that while the government could give subsidy on rice,the same couldnt be done for ghee.

2G is intended for common man whereas 3G is a value-added service, Raja told the Rajya Sabha. He said it was not his personal decision,it was the TRAIs recommendation not to auction 2G spectrum,and it was his decision to refer the 3G spectrum issue to a GoM.

Raja was responding to allegations made by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley that spectrum allocation instead of auction had cost the government Rs 60,000 crore.