DoT hits Finance Ministry over 3G spectrums

The Ministry of Communication on Thursday lambasted the Finance Ministry for questioning the procedure for 3G guidelines, saying the policy announcement was made after due consultations and there was no departure from the Cabinet decision.

"Since the spectrum pricing formula is auctioned, to which the Ministry of Finance is fully agreed, and the process, in which the Ministry of Finance is fully involved, we are consistent with the decision of the Cabinet," DoT said in a strong rebuttal to the issues raised by the Finance Ministry.

Responding to a communication from Finance Secretary D Subbarao on Wednesday, Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura shot off a strongly worded letter, saying, “It is therefore surprising that the Ministry of Finance has now decided to express its reservations on procedural aspects.”
 
Asked about the issues raised by the Finance Ministry, Telecom Minister A Raja dismissed any possibility of delay in 3G auction, saying, “As we promised, 3G auction will take place within the scheduled time. There will not be any deviation from the announced guidelines.”

Charging that the Ministry of Finance had not been consulted on DoT guidelines on auction and allotment of spectrum for 3G and WiMax telecom services, Subbarao had said, “The issue of guidelines without any consultations with the Ministry of Finance, either within the forum of Telecom Commission or outside, is inappropriate and contrary to the Cabinet decision.”