Spectrum price kept out of GoM at Maran's behest

On Board Air India One: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the decision to keep out the spectrum pricing issue from the purview of a Group of Ministers (GoM) was done on the word of the then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran in 2006.

"It is certainly true that one draft was prepared. It did include spectrum prices," Singh told reporters while returning from his New York trip.

He said Maran had then objected, saying "spectrum pricing is bread and butter and the integral part of the terms of the business of his (Telecom) department."

He said Maran had then objected, saying \"spectrum pricing is bread and butter of his department.

And in any case a large group of ministers in the GoM sitting here is not going to be able to deal effectively the complicated and technical aspects involved, Singh said quoting Maran.

"Further it was pointed out to me that there was a Cabinet decision of 2003, which said that spectrum price is a matter which should be discussed between the Finance Ministry and Telecom Ministry.

"And relying upon them I came to the conclusion that by agreeing with the minister Dayanidhi Maran's point of view would not amount to sacrifice of anything, which is essential and integral to the success of the process," the Prime Minister added.

He said it all happened "way back" in 2006. "At that time, licenses were more than (spectrum available). Real concern of the Government at that point was (how) we should persuade the defence ministry to maintain spectrum and that Spectrum should (be spared) to the civilian economy."

Singh was responding when pointed out that Opposition is levelling charge of personal culpability over change of terms of reference of the GoM to exclude spectrum pricing.

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