JPC wants to know if excess spectrum in NDA time had Cab nod

New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) The JPC probing 2G scam is
preparing to ascertain whether or not the excess allocation of
spectrum during the NDA government's tenure was done on the
basis of a Cabinet decision after the then TRAI chief on
Friday said the regulator was not consulted on the matter.
M S Verma, who headed TRAI (Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India) between March, 2000 and March 2003, gave
a detailed presentation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee
about the Telecom policy pursued during his tenure as he
appeared before the 30-member panel as a witness for the
second consecutive day.
Verma was also quizzed about the Migration Package
offered to telecom operators in 1999. The telecom policy laid
out by the NDA government related to migrating from fixed
licence fee regime to revenue-sharing model for telecom
operators.
He was also asked whether the matter was referred to
TRAI and if so, its opinion on the issue, JPC chief P C Chako
told reporters later.
When some members asked Verma whether the issue of
"excess allocation" of spectrum by the then National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 2002 was referred to
TRAI, he replied in a negative, Chako said.
"He (Verma) said the matter was not referred to TRAI,"
the JPC Chairman said.
On the basis of Friday's deposition by Verma, Chacko
said the then Secretary, Telecom would be asked whether the
excess allocation was done based on a decision of the Cabinet
or it was merely an administrative decision taken by the
Department of Telecom.