Sibal dismisses allegations of favouring pvt firm as motivated

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Telecom Minister of India Kapil
Sibal Thursday dismissed as "motivated and defamatory" a
petition filed in the Supreme Court against him alleging that
he had favoured private firm Reliance Communications by
reducing the penalty from Rs 650 crore to Rs 5 crore in 13
circles.
He contended that the figures and other grounds cited by
the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) in the
petition were wrong and misleading.
To press his argument, Sibal cited a communication dated
February 8, 2011, from Universal Service Obligation Fund
(USOF) suggesting imposition of a penalty of Rs 50 crore
against Reliance Communication for "violation of terms and
conditions" of the USOF agreement by "voluntary, unilateral
and unauthorised switching off/closure of services" to users.
He explained that there was a contract between USOF and
Reliance for putting up towers in rural areas and any
violation has to be dealt as per the provisions of the
contractual agreement.
"This whole process (petition) is malicious. This is
motivated and defamatory. I wonder why proceedings have been
filed in a court which is dealing with only 2G matters," Sibal
told PTI.
He said this has nothing to do with 2G case which is
being heard by the Supreme Court.
An NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL)
has filed the application in the Supreme Court seeking Central
Bureau of Investigation(CBI) probe against Sibal for allegedly
favouring private firm by abusing his position to over-rule
the unanimous view of senior DoT officials.
"It is a matter of grave concern that petitions are
being filed in this manner," the minister added.