Supreme Court wants TRAI report on loss

“Preponing of the date from October 1,2007 to September 25,2007 eliminated one third of the companies which had applied for spectrum,” Swamy claimed.

Swamy submitted that DoT had allotted spectrum to even those companies that had doubtful credentials by ignoring an important aspect of national security.

He cited the case of United Arab Emirates-based Etisalat Telecom,which was allotted spectrum despite the Ministry of Home Affairs allegedly raising objections on the issue of foreign exchange clearance.

Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising said the government will put forth its views after going through the documents.

Jaising,who was asked to argue her brief on Wednesday,said it would be better if the government has its turn after the telcos finish.

“There are some differences among service providers in the sector. Some of them are supporting the government policy (on 2G spectrum) and some of them are opposing,” Jaising said. “It would be better for the government to argue after hearing the stands of the companies,” she said.

The Bench,however,rejected the plea,saying the most important aspect of the case relates to the policy and the government should first make its stand clear on this aspect.