The Centre has reversed the stance of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in the multi-crore 2G spectrum allocation scam.

In a significant development, it has directed the Department of Telecommunications to file an “effective” affidavit that supports the Central Bureau of Investigation’s stance in the case before the Supreme Court.

A top-level Government source said that clear directions have been given to the DoT, especially with regard to manipulation of rules by former Ministers to favour private companies and cause a loss to the exchequer.

In fact, the Bharatiya Janata Party has been demanding that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh be questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after former Telecom Minister A Raja told the court that decisions were taken with the Prime Minister’s concurrence.

DoT told to fall in line



The Department of Telecom, which has been pulled up in the past by the Supreme Court for its “casual” and “unacceptable” position, is soon expected to change its stance from defending prior actions to supporting the CBI’s investigation.

The DoT was belligerent at first in defending the “zero loss” theory in the spectrum allocation case. In 2011, the CBI had arrested former Union Communications Minister A Raja and two officers under him for their role in the grant of licences and allocation of 2G spectrum in 2008, in violation of established guidelines and procedures.

CAG loss figure



The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India had, in its report, estimated a presumptive loss ranging from ₹57,000 crore to ₹1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer due to the allocation.

In its First Information Report, the CBI estimated the loss to be ₹22,000 crore.

This estimate was based on the findings of the Central Vigilance Commission, which had referred the case to the CBI.

Raja became Telecom Minister in May 2007 and was re-allotted the Ministry in the UPA-II Government, after the 2009 general elections.