Raja accuses NDA Of 1.6 lakh cr telecom scam
Agencies
Posted: Friday, Oct 30, 2009 at 1803 hrs IST
Updated: Friday, Oct 30, 2009 at 1803 hrs IST
New Delhi: Facing allegations of irregularities in spectrum allotment, Telecom Minister A Raja hit out at the BJP saying free distribution of radio frequency among operators during the NDA regime may have cost the country over Rs 1.6 lakh crore.
Alleging that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance regime had distributed for free, 250 Mega Hertz of spectrum among the telecom operators, he told reporters that "the scam during the NDA regime could be worth much more than Rs 1.6 lakh crore."
Asked about demands for his resignation, he replied: "I will not step down."
Raja debunked charges of Rs 60,000 crore spectrum scam levelled by BJP against him and said, "Ours is a government that has followed all rules to the letter and spirit by following the recommendations of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)."
Pooh-poohing BJP leader Arun Jaitely's allegation, he said, "The BJP leader himself had defended a major operator in court...
"During the NDA regime, 250 MHz of spectrum was distributed among the operators without any charge. 900 bands of spectrum, which was not to have been allocated, was given as additional spectrum... This is the biggest scam."
Comments
» Telecom Scandal and BJP
Posted by MOHAN DADDIKAR on 2009-10-31 13:09:25.838917+05:30
If Raja, the Minister for communications was knowing of the such large corruption by BJP , what preventd him from ordering an enqury or lodging a police commplaint? His charge against BJP now is only to divert the attenetion of the publlc from grave charges levelled against him.
» THE MESS IN THE TELECOM SECTOR
Posted by Vikram on 2009-10-31 13:25:35.386582+05:30
An enquiry would serve no purpose as the telecom rules have not been laid out clear and proper, with the result the powers that be can twist it to their advantage. If and when a charge is levelled, they can very well argue that they have done it for the growth of the Telecom sector. They will argue that it is a short term loss for a long term gain and it is being done so for the benefit of subscribers at large. Therefore, there is much difficulty to prove anything. You can level any number of allegations, but it will be a herculean task to prove anything.
» THE MESS IN THE TELECOM SECTOR
Posted by Vikram on 2009-10-31 10:56:23.151118+05:30
Neither the ruling nor opposition enjoy an iota of credibility with the masses. It is apparent that clear rules and guidelines have not been framed while opening up the Telecom Sector and this has made it a fertile ground for the powers that be to serve their own ends. The Ministers exercise their own discretion to price the licence keeping in view the growth of the sector as they want everyone to believe. In such a scenario, it is difficult to fix accountability when there is no transparency. The entry of FDI into the sector has only made it more messy than before.
» Raja becomes a Gooja
Posted by ramkesav on 2009-10-31 10:47:11.714705+05:30
Raja's present accusation against NDA is only an after thought. He is copying his leader's trick. Karunanithi will always blame his previous ADMK govt for all his failures. Raja is also infected with this decease. Or he has been asked by MK to follow this. IF Rajas allegation is true, why no action was taken by him so far. Being silent for such a malpractice, is he also not a party to such crime. Poor Raja has lost other defences. The prime question is not the method of allotment, but the price. The price adopted in 2001 has been followed in 2007 as well. No commodity on this earth has the same price during these to periods. Not even the price of MPS who supported the previous UPA govt. Having been caught red handed he is trying to escape with the help of MK and his family member, This impotent and ineffective Govt led by MMS will sure to face more such predicaments and the people will regret their decision of 2009 general election.Or those who manipulated it will regret.
» FIRST UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING CAUGHT RED HANDED
Posted by R Sundar on 2009-10-31 11:11:28.996847+05:30
You dumb. What is your statement being caught red handed ?? This is a mere allegation and even investigation is only on a preliminary stage and you guys are shouting out. Do you know the meaning of being caught red handed ? It was Bangaru Laxman, Judev, Babubhai Katara, the BJP MPs caught on camera accepting cash for raising questions in parliament and the MPLAD scam shown on Video which are the exact meaning of being caught red handed.
» WHAT ABOUT RAJA'S CHARGE
Posted by R Sundar on 2009-10-31 11:03:04.968955+05:30
And what about Raja's charge that licence were given free during the NDA period ? Atleast some price was charged during the UPA period.
» Political scams
Posted by Col. A. I Nomani. on 2009-10-31 10:42:42.655525+05:30
Mr. Raja , Union Minister has skillfully dodged the charges levelled by Mr. Arun Jaitly ,BJP spokesman by counter attacking him. It is true that BJP regime is full of scams and they have no moral right to attack others . Those who live in glass houses cannot through stones on their advereries. Now the BJP has to answer why did they free joyrides to telecom operators. Let me also remind them about favours granted by Mr. Pramod Mahajan to Ambani's as telecom minister and allegedly earned a lot of money . Also Mr. Arun Shourie disposed off Hotels at throw away price who in turn helped the buyers to sell the same to others at more than double the cost. There are not a single Defence deal which is clean . So, what Mr. Jaitly is talking is nothing but meaningless bulshit.
» Raja in the Dock
Posted by anil N on 2009-10-31 13:29:15.272311+05:30
Colonel saheb has not projected any meaningful reason about the innocence of Raja in this scam. It is illogical to argue that Raja is not involved merely because one of the accusers (BJP) allegedly erred 8-9 years ago. It is not only BJP who is accusing , but most political parties and also the entire fourth estate daily on their talk shops. No one will ever claim that the current electronic media is pro BJP. The scam was reported in the media and the Govt of the day is investigating . Lets wait to hear from them before we pronounce judgments and accusations on the BJP.
» How the entire Society is being corrupted for Boffors case by Sonia and her family!
Posted by Ganpati Narayanan on 2009-10-31 10:25:47.758789+05:30
The question whether NDA were responsible for fraud or not,but did Raja and DMK are presently guilty or not.The CBI has found evidrnce of corruptioin Raja of DMK and the PM and Sonia had no business to interfer with evidence as bith along wit6h the entire Congress Party members are not the inves6tigating agencies to absolve the Corrupt Ministers.As oft repeated Sonia and her son and the family and the Congress PM and Ministers are sqarely resplonsible for corrupting the entire society.Apart from Raja and the DMK even Bhave like Dinakaran are also guilty of abusing their offices and Moily and Balkrishanan are trying to help thes rascles for their own purpose.The Media people like Shekhar Gupta,Pranab Roy,Deelip Padgaonker,Vinod Mehta ect are backing corruption to make mon ey for them.
» Take immediate action
Posted by R.Ramachandran on 2009-10-31 07:59:09.131266+05:30
Here is a Central Minister alleging that the previous ministers in the NDA Government had committed fraud. When fraud of such a large scale has been committed, which is alleged by the sitting Central Minister (which I hope would not be made without adequate basis!) all one would expect is that the Minister immediately files a criminal complaint against the alleged fraudsters.IF THE MINISTER FAILS TO DO THIS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEN APPROPRIATE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED AGAINST HIM FOR FAILING TO TAKE ACTION IN PROTECTING PUBLIC MONEY.
» WHATIS BJP'S REACTION
Posted by R Sundar on 2009-10-31 10:27:03.738979+05:30
Why the BJP is silent to Raja's charges ?? He has accused the Ministry then of doling out spectrum licences without even charging the fees to a Cartel on first cum first serve basis. What is the BJP's counter to this ?? Nobody is hearing anything except that Arun Jaitley calls it a diversionary tactic instead of responding to the charges levelled.
» Why now?
Posted by Sundaram on 2009-10-31 04:53:37.144487+05:30
What the hell was he and his party DMK doing, during when they were part of the Govt.. What was Dayanidhi Maran doing when he was handling this Ministry during the previous term? Direct knowledge of the crime is also a crime, right? Raaja should be thrown out and arrested for this crime also..
» Congratulations to politicians
Posted by S on 2009-10-30 19:56:22.497673+05:30
Congratulations to NDA and UPA politicians. India is a fertile land for frauds, scams etc. There is full freedom enjoyed by our politicians belonging to every party. Congratulations to them. They are above law.
» THAT IS THE HARD TRUTH
Posted by Venu on 2009-10-31 09:23:27.877371+05:30
That is the hard truth. India is indeed the land of scams. If there is one party in India which can be labelled as "somewhat clean", then it is the communist party. Most of its leaders lead a simple life. But, they are not a powerful force anywhere except the three states where they hold reins.
» Sack the telecom minister !
Posted by Gopal on 2009-10-30 18:57:28.805007+05:30
If the Prime Minister really means upholding of morality in public life, he should sack Raja immediately. But he wont, because he is so obsessed with his chair and Sonia would not antagonise MK. What a great Govt which professes corruption free Govt. Recently, the PM told the CBI that they should not hesitate to catch the big fish. But you have already let the fish out of the pond and now you are asking the CBI to fish in the pond. Our PM is no more a person of integrity as his party claims.
» BE FAIR AND RATIONAL
Posted by R Sundar on 2009-10-31 09:20:10.9088+05:30
You dumb. Why should anyone be sacked on the basis of mere allegation ?? If that is the case, no body can stay on as a Minister as there are frequent allegations cropping up now and then. Did George Fernandes resign when the Coffin scam was raised ? Did Pramod Mahajan and Arun Shourie resign when serious allegations were levelled against them ? Or did Vajpayee resign when Jayalalitha who was then parterning the Government then in 1997 accused his Office as fountain head of corruption or did Advani resign when he was included as an accused in the Ram Janmabhoomi case ? So, be fair and rational.
» TO MR NAYAK - NOT I BUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY WAS WATCHING
Posted by R Sundar on 2009-10-30 17:46:25.883286+05:30
When Bangaru, the BJP President took cash on camera gleefully. When Judev the Chattisgarh BJP MP took the cash placed in on his head and said that it is bigger than God. When the shameless Babubhai Katara, the former BJP MP from Dahod was caught red handed while induling in human trafficking and sent to jail where he is still languishing. When the BJP MPs were gleefully accepting bribes to raise questions in Parliament and also for Land allotment which pertains to the MPLAD. All these scams there was nothing to prove, because the concerned were caught on camera accepting bribes and they too afterwards didn't deny it and accepted that they indeed got the cash.
