Two-G (2G) Spectrum Scam Tapes and follow-up

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 16 Jan 2012 12:38

Democracy at crossroads, silent majority should speak up: CAG

New Delhi Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai, who has won many foes after a number of scams were unearthed by his watchdog, today said the democracy was at the 'crossroads' and it was time for the 'silent majority' to speak up.

Hinting that the pro-active nature of CAG had not gone down well with many, he said, that work done by his institution had taken a toll on his friendships.

"Democracy is at crossroads today and each one of us assembled here needs to contribute to debunk the myth of the silent majority," Rai said addressing his Hindu college-mates at a function where he received the 'Alumunus of the Decade' award.

"The time has come for the majority not to be silent because it is a minority which speaks on the behalf of the majority," the CAG added.

Rai has come under severe attack from various quarters in the government, with some even suggesting that he was over-stepping the mandate that the CAG has.

The CAG particularly courted controversy in its assessment of 2G spectrum allocation, with its calculation of Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss being questioned repeatedly.

Surrounded by his alma mater, Rai said in the lighter vein, "The pace at which I am losing friends, this award better came this year. Next year you may probably not even decide to give this award to me."

The CAG said his friends "in bureaucracy and otherwise have stopped even acknowledging me everytime they are on my wrong side or I am on their wrong side."

Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy, another Hindu College alumnus who has played a key role as a whistle-blower in various scams including 2G spectrum allocation, was also honoured with 'Distinguished Alumnus' award along with Congress Leader Rao Inderjeet Singh.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news ... AG/899417/

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 16 Jan 2012 16:49

Now Telenor values Unitech at 7% of its value of what it was in 2009.
link

Unitech Wireless launched mobile services under the 'Uninor' brand in late 2009 and has since build a base of over 35 million customers, making it a rare success story among half-a-dozen companies given mobile permits by former telecom minister A Raja in early 2008.
...
Telenor's estimation of the value of its Indian unit is less than 7% of what it was in 2009 when it picked up 67.25% stake in the telco for 6,100 crore, a deal that valued a company that had not launched operations or acquired a single customer at about 9,000 crore.

The deal attracted the attention of India's national auditor, which used it to back its argument that licences should have been auctioned and not allocated by Raja at prices set in 2001.

The figure also crops up in the 2G scam case, where the CBI has accused Unitech's promoter, Sanjay Chandra, of alleged wrongful gains arising out of the 2009 transaction.
...
At the heart of the dispute is a proposal, put forward by Telenor, for a 8,200-crore rights issue by Uninor. Telenor says the funds are necessary to expand the business, but is opposed by Unitech.

About two months ago, Telenor had valued Unitech Wireless even lower at 400 crore ( 28 per share).

The Norwegian major subsequently appointed BNP Paribas, which valued the mobile phone company at 870 crore ( 60 per share).

Is the valuation by BNP Paribas done using 2G allocation value? If so then it is unfortunate that foreign companies are are valuating Indian companies in such a manner so as to cheapen the share of Indian companies.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 21 Jan 2012 11:20

Hearing in 2G case at Patiala House Court on SS plea to make PC as co accuse is over. Judgement on 4th Feb. SS alleges PC is as responsible as Raja is. Regarding PC plea hat similar mater is pending in SC was pooh-poohed by SS saying that prayer is different. here he is asking direction to CBI to investigate case which it is refusing to do and only HC or SC can order. Patiala court has not power to order CBI investigation

TV News reporting.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 30 Jan 2012 00:42

Philipines had Crony Capitalism in the 80s under Ferdinand Marcos.

Now India under UPA has Crony Kleptocracy!!!

From 2g scam to ISRO bandwidth and so on its Crony Kleptocracy.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 31 Jan 2012 11:06

SC accepts Swamy's plea against PMO

In a blow to the Central Government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday accepted Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy's petition against the Prime Minister's Office in the 2G case, saying that all public authorities should give a sanction in 3 months time against any public official if a request is made for prosecution.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 31 Jan 2012 11:25

Re ^^ a comment in HT

OH GOD WILL ALL THESE GOOD THINGS CONTINUE ?

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 31 Jan 2012 11:30

^^^ I think it remains a grey area ...

Swamy's arguments were that he wrote to the PMO on November 29, 2008 but it was only on March 19, 2010 the PMO replied that the plea made by Swamy was "premature" as investigation was being carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2g-sc-accept ... 37-64.html)

Prosecution can come only after the completion of investigations. If a government controlled agency such as the CBI is already seized of the matter, then cannot the govt say that prosecution will happen in due course if sufficient evidence is found? Will need to see the actual judgment.

member_21708 · Post by **member_21708** » 31 Jan 2012 20:17

PC unlikely to resign despite adverse judgements

New Delhi: It's not just one, but a triple blow likely for the UPA government as after today's order on deemed sanction to prosecute after four months, the Supreme Court in the next two days will deliver two more judgements. One will relate to the CBI questioning Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G scam, and the third relates to the Attorney General's role in the same case.

Justice Ashok Ganguly's retirement on 2 Feb has fast tracked all three judgements.

Authoritative sources told Zee News that that P Chidambaram was “happy to be questioned by the CBI” and had told senior leaders that it should have been done when the Finance Secretary was questioned.

With support from the Congress, P Chidambaram is unlikely to resign even if the court wants his role investigated. This was confirmed to Zee News by authoritative sources. The same sources pointed out that neither the PMO nor Chidambaram or even the Attorney General has received any notice from the SC.

The judgement in the case of the Home Minister was reserved on October 11 last year in plea in 2G case.

Sources, however, said that this judgement is a serious blow to the government as it questions the PMO's 16 month delay in the case.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/pc ... 55910.html

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 31 Jan 2012 21:59

RamaY wrote:
ramana wrote:Try this book for starters. Google has only Table of Contents:

http://books.google.com/books/about/Ind ... 0lAAAAMAAJ
I saw this and purchased a copy. Will post a summary once read.

From where did you purchased a copy?I can't find a copy anywhere.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 31 Jan 2012 23:21

^ I purchased it from a private buyer on Amazon.com. I got the copy. I am reading it.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 01 Feb 2012 18:22

So SC gives a judgement on prosecution sanction by PM to prosecute Raja in 2G scam.
On 2nd Feb Chidambaram is facing tryst with destiny.
On 3rd admission of VKS case on concocted age issue is coming up.
Constant hammering is unbelievable and still UPA-II stands on its legs.

vijayk · Post by **vijayk** » 01 Feb 2012 18:42

chaanakya wrote:So SC gives a judgement on prosecution sanction by PM to prosecute Raja in 2G scam.
On 2nd Feb Chidambaram is facing tryst with destiny.
On 3rd admission of VKS case on concocted age issue is coming up.
Constant hammering is unbelievable and still UPA-II stands on its legs.

That is because of BJP ineptitude and immoral parties forming coalitions.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 01 Feb 2012 18:50

^^^^
UPA 2 will remain as long as it enjoys the majority confidence of MPs for 5 years.
MMS stays as long as he has the confidence of mother of corruption.
Amul baby will be in the running for PM forever as long as there are elections in India.
It is irrespective of opposition.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 01 Feb 2012 18:55

I have no doubt Chidu will brazen out any adverse judgement by the Sc tomorrow as did Sheila with Shunglu.

Santosh Hegde passed his infamous lokayukta verdict against Yeddy also on the last day of his service. Now it turns out hegde masterfully ignored all illegal mining abuses and sundry scams under non-BJP governments pretty much systematically only. Who knows what Justice Ashok Ganguly will do tomorrow? Time will tell.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 02 Feb 2012 10:32

122 2G spectrum licenses quashed by SC

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 02 Feb 2012 10:33

PC case has been left open to trial court.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 02 Feb 2012 10:33

CBI will have to give all reports to CVC.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 02 Feb 2012 10:36

CBI in jurisdiction under Court thru CVC ..... not SIT, a big thingie to have CBI under CVC

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 02 Feb 2012 10:55

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

Inder Sharma · Post by **Inder Sharma** » 02 Feb 2012 11:03

Bharat Ratna for Subramanian Swami

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 02 Feb 2012 11:11

Inder Sharma wrote:Bharat Ratna for Subramanian Swami

+1

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 02 Feb 2012 11:56

Swami Dada's Interview with ET

In an interview with ET Now, Subramanian Swamy, 2G petitioner reacts to the Supreme Court judgment in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

What is your initial reaction on the verdict?

I am very happy. These are the finest judges in the country and they have made decisions and those decisions may not be liked by the government. The licenses have been ordered to be quashed and as far as Mr. Chidambaram is concerned, the Supreme Court has said that the Trial Court is now free to decide on this matter. I am already pursuing the matter in the trial court. As far as the monitoring is concerned, the CVC will look at it. It is a major step forward for us in the war against corruption.

What is the step ahead? Just give us some flavour of what would happen next for some of these companies whose licenses have been cancelled, has there been any kind of mention about that or that will be decided later?

They have been given 4 months to do the needful and some of them are being fined. Swan and Unitech have been fined and they have also said that the proceeds from the auctioning procedures should go for legal aid and to ex-defence personnel.

So there has not been any talk of refund that came through from the license fee?

No, the license fee has to be decided by the market principles.

How do things go further from here because a lot of companies actually started off business post the allocation of these licenses. Some of them as you pointed out--there is Tata, Unitech, DB Realty--which have been penalised and those numbers are out, but what happens to the operations that some of these companies actually initiated or started after the allocation of these licenses?

First of all, they have got 4 months and they can always offer to pay the market price and continue with the license. I do not think they have laid down any strict procedures as to how those who have got the license can continue. They have read only the operational part not the full order, but this is what came out of it.

Just one word really if you have some updates on that. For a lot of people who are already subscribers to some of these services, what happens there?

There is not going to be any interruption in the services. Not only that, those companies which are cleared, you can always transfer your number to those services. Intra service transfers have been allowed. There are many alternatives available.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 02 Feb 2012 12:14

The way Swamy and Chidu are playing, so many times I am reminded of the great Rajnikant's Shivaji - The Boss, in which he comes back to beat the bad politician at his own game.

So what happens to all the money that the telecom companies paid Team Sonia?

niran · Post by **niran** » 02 Feb 2012 12:53

UPA media group currently is having chaibiskoot without chaibiskoot, chiduji maharaj heads that group
whispering floating through the window:(are you sitting down?if not then please)
since chidu has been working to wipe off the eviler than evil saffron terrorists from the face of the Earth
he has been targetted, he is whiter than the whites he wears.

Sri · Post by **Sri** » 02 Feb 2012 13:26

Wah bhai wah!!! some people are making this out as if Supreme court has justified that the 1st come 1st serve policy was wrong and auction can be the only way. This far from the truth. This is what some telecom players will make it out to be. Court has only ordered that either some parties were not qualified to get the licenses or they have not adhered to the terms and conditions of license agreement.

Supreme court cannot and has not ruled on the policy. It has just ruled on a PIL stating that people who are either not qualified or who are not sticking to the agreement should not continue to hold the license.

Further GOI has already indicated that from now on Auction can be the only way forward, hence court ordered re auction.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2012 17:35

Sri, Didn't the same person say sometime back there was 'ZERO" Loss and today 122 licenses have been cancelled because of "loss". Well, he is a criminal lawyer who has probably many times said criminals are innocent. So best to disregard such opinions.

chandrasekaran · Post by **chandrasekaran** » 02 Feb 2012 17:41

In the midst of all this melee, Kongress dispatches Kapil Sibal to face the press ? This time at least I thought the PM would come forward and face the press, issue a statement and answer their questions. Really sad that we have such a person at the gaddi who always seem to hide behind the scenes.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2012 18:00

Important comment in the Supreme Court Judgement

Full text: 2જી પર સુપ્રિમ કોર્ટનો ચૂકાદો

73. Before concluding, we consider it imperative to observe that but for the vigilance of some enlightened citizens who held important constitutional and other positions and discharge their duties in larger public interest and Non Governmental Organisations who have been constantly fighting for clean governance and accountability of the constitutional institutions, unsuspecting citizens and the Nation would never have known how scarce natural resource spared by the Army has been grabbed by those who enjoy money power and who have been able to manipulate the system.

May more Vinod Rai, MM Joshi and Swamy's who exposed this scam increase.

vi) The cut off date, i.e. 25.9.2007 decided by the Minister of C&IT on 2.11.2007 was not made public till 10.1.2008 and the first-come-firstserved principle, which was being followed since 2003 was changed by him at the last moment through press release dated 10.1.2008. This enabled some of the applicants, who had access either to the Minister or the officers of the DoT to get the bank drafts etc. prepared towards performance guarantee etc. of about 1600 crores.

(vii) The manner in which the exercise for grant of LoIs to the applicants was conducted on 10.1.2008 leaves no room for doubt that every thing was stage managed to favour those who were able to know in advance change in the implementation of the first-come-first served principle. As a result of this, some of the companies which had submitted applications in 2004 or 2006 were pushed down in the priority and those who had applied between August and September 2007 succeeded in getting higher seniority entitling them to allocation of spectrum on priority basis.

See the Bold text, First Come First Principle was changed by the Minister, Yet the UPA - i.e Kapil Sibal have made a blatant lie today.

Can we trust these guys anymore??

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2012 19:25

Some Psy-ops being tried by Times of India to try and blame only raja and NDA

2G verdict: A Raja 'virtually gifted away important national asset', says Supreme Court

This is what Times of India says

The Centre adopted a wrong policy of first-come-first served in allocating the "scarce" resource at a "throw away price" to "favour" some corporates, it said.

Reading this somehow one would belive that NDA Government was responsible. Now read what the Supreme Court Judgement says

Full text: 2જી પર સુપ્રિમ કોર્ટનો ચૂકાદો

(vi) The cut off date, i.e. 25.9.2007 decided by the Minister of C&IT on 2.11.2007 was not made public till 10.1.2008 and the first-come-firstserved principle, which was being followed since 2003 was changed by him at the last moment through press release dated 10.1.2008. This enabled some of the applicants, who had access either to the Minister or the officers of the DoT to get the bank drafts etc. prepared towards performance guarantee etc. of about 1600 crores.

How long will the ~~PR machinery of INC~~ Media keep going at their cheap tactics.

Does anyone have a better explanation why this blantant lie is being told by the Media, there cannot be any other reason for it.

P.S: I am almost to say speak now or accept almost all media through a carrot and stick policy is a PR wing of the INC

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 02 Feb 2012 20:46

Swamy Talking about SC decision

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/2g-s ... 71751.html

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy , one of the petitioners in the 2G spectrum allocation scam , on Thursday said Union Minister P. Chidambaram was the "senior partner" in spectrum pricing while former telecom minister A. Raja was a "junior partner" in the UPA-1 regime so he should also be in jail along with the DMK leader.

On the day the Union government was dealt a heavy blow by a Supreme Court judgement cancelling all 122 2G licenses issued by the UPA-1 government, Swamy appeared on Headlines Today saying the scam was the regime's collective failure and not of any individual.

"Mr Kapil Sibal is committing contempt of court by misquoting the Supreme Court judgement. First of all the judgement has not been signed... I don't know which judgement he is quoting. The fact of the matter is the process was that Mr Chidambaram and Mr Raja will decide (on 2G pricing) together. And records show that Chidambaram was the senior partner and Raja was the junior partner. If Raja is in jail, Chidambaram should also be in jail," Swamy told Headlines Today executive editor Rahul Kanwal hours after the landmark decision.

In reply to a question, Swamy denied having any personal vendetta against Chidambaram. Even if his action was motivated by a personal vendetta, Swamy said quoting a Supreme Court judgement(Bhajanlal Case): "Personal animus is of no consequence... It's a collective failure. The prime minister was not empowered to decide the price. The NDA government had empowered the finance minister and the telecom minister. And they reported to him (prime minister)."

It could be mentioned that Union Telecom Minister, defending the government stand on 2G controversy so far, had blamed the NDA regime of adopting a faulty policy of first come, first served basis to give away 2G licenses rather than auctioning them, which was followed by the UPA government.

"Kapil Sibal has now become famous for saying very stupid things like zero loss. Now what is the need to say that when the Supreme Court has quoted probably the CAG to say the loss of (Rs) 1.76 lakh crores? The fact of the matter is if it's an NDA policy, you didn't have brains to apply? The NDA had certain policy to follow towards the minority. Are you following the same policy? Why can't you change the policy if it's flawed? And who stopped you from prosecuting the NDA... Mr Sibal has no credibility at all," he said pulling up the telecom minister for his defence.

Swamy reiterated that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had also benefited from the scam and that he had "proof" against her. He refused to share the proof saying he would keep it only before the Supreme Court.

Asked to comment on the victory in the wake of apex court order, Swamy said, "What the Supreme Court has done, it has empowered the trial court that you can order the CBI enquiry as an ad hoc measure. And that's exactly what I need. If on 4th (of February) the trial court finds Mr Chidambaram be summoned and therefore I conduct the case, I need the CBI assistance because they have got all the files. I will consider that a super victory. Not of meeting my demands."

To a question on genuine telecom companies suffering from the verdict and consequently mobile tariff soaring which would ultimately affect subscribers, Swamy said, "When they (telcos) got the licenses cheaply, they sold it to other companies. That's not only Swan and Unitech, but Tata sold to Docomo, then somebody sold it to the Russians, somebody sold it to Vodafone."

"So all of them have made a huge gain on licenses that were given cheaply. Take example of 3G. There has been no enhancement of tariff despite the fact that it was through auction. Therefore I would say that please cough up, of course they might given bribe, now they are going to pay double because whatever they have paid plus what they have to pay now. But I would that there has to be this punitive thing so that in future such things don't happen. And the government should say that you cannot raise the prices," he added.

The Janata Party leader denied that the apex court ruling would affect investment in India, particularly in the telecom sector, as feared.

"They (foreign investors) should be jittery because we don't want the word to get around that you can get anything you want in India by bribery, or India is purchasable. Look at the transparency index. We are down to 95 number... You have to have first of all a clean country," he insisted.

On losses incurred by the foreign investors in the wake of verdict, Swamy said, "You think Telenor was spin chicken that it did not know that Unitech is a real estate company? It (Unitech) didn't have a single tower, didn't have any infrastructure... They should have immediately suspected that something is wrong. As far as Telenor and Etisalat are concerned, they have no right to complain, they are blacklisted by the home ministry."

"In a banana republic courts are also purchased. Unfortunately for them, the courts couldn't be purchased. So therefore we are not a banana republic. We are a democratic country trying to become fully democratic. Today all Indians are holding their head in high esteem because we cannot be purchased," Swamy said, adding, "I think all honest companies will now feel in culture to come."

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 02 Feb 2012 22:01

Sanku wrote:
Inder Sharma wrote:Bharat Ratna for Subramanian Swami
+1

Just the thought I had before reading this. May God protect him.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 02 Feb 2012 22:03

Chiddu verdict will be on 4th Feb.

SC is following one blow a day policy.

Sriman · Post by **Sriman** » 02 Feb 2012 22:27

Just watched the Swamy interview on Headlines Today, very impressed. The articulation and clarity of thought was superb. Rahul Kanwal trying to imitate Karan Thapar was tedious though.

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 02 Feb 2012 22:32

Sriman wrote:Just watched the Swamy interview on Headlines Today, very impressed. The articulation and clarity of thought was superb. Rahul Kanwal trying to imitate Karan Thapar was tedious though.

Yeah,kept on repeating about the personal grudge of Swamy with Chidu even when he said that Personal Animosity,according to SC does not matter when detailed and valid documents are present to support one's contention.But Swamy maintained his cool.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 02 Feb 2012 23:20

I think Chidu will go scot free on Feb 4th. He is too big to fall in this net

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 02 Feb 2012 23:24

suryag wrote:I think Chidu will go scot free on Feb 4th. He is too big to fall in this net

Senior (unaligned) lawyers were saying that even the current verdict has implicated Chidu in all but name. That it did not do was because it expects the trial court to do that, since it did not want to trip the trial court. However the weight of statements made in 2G case make it almost impossible for a trial court to let him go. The trial court would need to contradict SC for that.

The chances of letting him go are low, but even if it happens, his goose his cooked, if the trial court does not serve it. SC will.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 03 Feb 2012 00:36

In Westminister system there is collective responsibility.

In UPA they have collective irresponsibility for cabinet decisions.
Or selective responsbility of coaltion partners.

Yayavar · Post by **Yayavar** » 03 Feb 2012 01:55

a snippet has stayed stuck in my memory -- during the UTI scam Chidambaram was said to have made 3cr and defended it. Given that he was finance minister prior to that it seemed that he profited from his knowledge. Does anyone recall that? or have I got it wrong? Lots of folks lost money in UTI scam.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 03 Feb 2012 02:26

From what i heard from one Lawyer from Delhi it seems that the Judge Saini - that is the CBI Judge who is trying the criminal court may allow that application of SS agaist Chidu on Saturday. Please ready this post and observe the words used on SS - It is as if SS is the criminal and INC is all innocent people -
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 05774.aspx

nawabs · Post by **nawabs** » 03 Feb 2012 03:15

Narayana Rao wrote:From what i heard from one Lawyer from Delhi it seems that the Judge Saini - that is the CBI Judge who is trying the criminal court may allow that application of SS agaist Chidu on Saturday. Please ready this post and observe the words used on SS - It is as if SS is the criminal and INC is all innocent people -
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 05774.aspx

Originally written by a journalist Henry Foy for Reuters.