The Supreme Court verdict cancelling all the 122 telecom licences that jailed former telecom minister A Raja had issued to eight firms in 2008 has unexpectedly opened up a new window that can help the government earn up to Rs 75,000 crore. The revenue raised from the fresh auction of spectrum freed up after last week's SC ruling will come as a welcome relief for the government that has been struggling...
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Carrots? Here’s A Stick! by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta
The PM, Raja, TRAI, telecom firms... the apex court lets no one off the hook The Supreme Court’s stinging judgement against the government in the 2G spectrum scam case is an extremely significant attempt by the country’s highest court to curb the corrupt nexus between business and politics and will further damage the UPA’s already battered credibility. The court’s decision will not merely have far-reaching consequences on India’s political economy,...
More »2G scam: Supreme Court details how Raja ignored all to help cronies
-The Times of India The SC order said quite clearly that then telecom minister A Raja "wanted to favour some companies at the cost of the public exchequer" and lists seven steps he took to ensure this happened. Here are the steps as the SC saw them: 1. After taking over as telecom minister, Raja directed that all applications received for UAS licences should be kept pending till receipt of the Trai's...
More »India to defend local-buy policy in solar mission as US, EU protest by Amiti Sen
India is readying to defend its policy requiring companies to source local content for the national solar mission project, a rule that has triggered protests from the US and the EU. The commerce department is talking to the ministry of new and renewable energy on how to argue its case should the dispute reach the World Trade Organisation. The ministry is responsible for executing the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission,...
More »Farmers thwart bid to sell mining lease in Bichwa, Tekadi by Vijay Pinjarkar
-The Times of India The farmers from Bichwa and Tekadi in the district have thwarted an attempt to sell mining leases which have already been suspended by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). The state government had granted lease for manganese and dolomite mining over 17.25 hectares in Bichwa and 11.5 hectares in Tekadi to one AD Kuhite of Nagpur on March 22, 1996. The 20-year lease period expires on August 10, 2016. However,...
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