Centre playing with our 2G order: SC
submission on the issue of auction, the bench said it was only concerned with its direction that all spectrum which was cancelled by it on February 2, 2012 was put for auction.
The centre, however, tried to justify its decision saying that it was done on the recommendation of TRAI. However, the bench was not satisfied with the explanation and said "it is your decision" and wondered why it was never earlier told about the recommendation of the regulating body.
The apex court was hearing a plea by an association of GSM mobile operators seeking inclusion of airwaves allocated to two Tata Group companies in the fresh auction of 122 cancelled 2G spectrum licenses.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has also sought a direction for auction 170 MHz more spectrum in the bidding.
COAI, an apex body of GSM operators, has sought the apex court's direction that all spectrum vacated by the cancellation of 122 telecom licences by the Feb 2 verdict should be put up for auction.
By "hoarding" scarce natural resources, the government is trying to "jack up" the price of spectrum, the COAI had said in the petition.
COAI has also sought apex court's direction to quash 83 MHz spectrum allotted to the Tata group under the dual-technology licence in 2008 and auction it.
According to COAI, 514 MHz of spectrum should be vacated following the cancellation of 122 licences and de-allocation of 83 MHz spectrum to Tatas.
Five companies ¿- Bharti Airtel, Idea, Vodafone, Videocon and Telenor-promoted Telewings -¿ are likely
