Government mulls 2G verdict review
NEW DELHI: The government is considering filing a review petition in the Supreme Court against the February 2 order of the court cancelling 122 licences controversially allotted in 2008 by the Telecom Ministry, during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja.
Though a firm view on the matter is yet to emerge, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to the Attorney General of India GE Vahanvati seeking his opinion on the issue of filing a review petition in particular, as also his overall view on the judgment.
Confirming that the PM has indeed written to the AG seeking his advice on the 2G verdict, PMO officials said, “There is nothing unusual about it, the PM has to take the top law officer’s view to formulate government response to the verdict. The PM writes to the AG after every court pronouncement.”
But a section within the government is believed to be pushing for a review petition, even though the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has already started the process of auction of 2G spectrum and has also written to stakeholders seeking their views on the matter.
Many in the government feel that the future of the telecom sector in India as well as the sale of spectrum will get bogged down in long-drawn litigations as the affected telecom companies are likely to individually go to the apex court for a review.
The court order has virtually laid down a much-needed guideline for sale of spectrum sale and other national assets. But going through the fine-print, the government fears that it may adversely impact the investment climate of the country. Not to mention the diplomatic fallout.