Former TRAI chairman quizzed by JPC

New Delhi: A former chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today told the JPC probing the 2G spectrum scam that the former NDA government did not seek the opinion of the telecom regulator on the issue of allocating “excess spectrum” to some private companies in 2002. M S Verma, who headed TRAI between March, 2000 and March 2003 appeared before the JPC as a witness for the second consecutive day. [caption id=“attachment_38805” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The CBI chargsheet in the 2G scam. Reuters”] [/caption] When some members asked him whether the issue of “excess allocation” of spectrum by the then government in 2002 was referred to TRAI, Verma replied in negative and said the matter was not referred to TRAI, JPC chairman P C Chacko stated. Chacko explained that upto 10 MHz of “excess spectrum, not additional spectrum” was allocated to some companies. “Some members asked him how such a decision was taken and whether TRAI’s opinion was sought,” he said. While TRAI has powers to make suo motu recommendations to government, the regulator did not opt for the option then. Chacko said in fact during Verma’s three-year tenure, TRAI did not make any suo motu recommendations to the government on any issue. In reply to a question, the JPC chairman said while TRAI recommendations are not binding on the government, “such matters are expected to be referred (to TRAI) as the efficient management of available spectrum comes under the power of TRAI”. Chacko said the then Secretary, Telecom would be asked whether the excess allocation was done based on a decision of the Cabinet or it was merely an administrative decision taken by the DoT. Verma was also quizzed about the Migration Package offered to telecom operators in 1999. The telecom policy laid out by the NDA government related to migrating from fixed licence fee regime to revenue-sharing model for telecom operators. He was asked whether the matter was referred to TRAI and if so, its opinion on the issue. Verma said while the package was announced in 1999, he took over as TRAI chief in 2000. At this, some members noted that a reference on the migration package was pending before the regulator when he took over. In his reply, Verma said since TRAI has no powers to “criticise” the policy decisions taken by the government, it did not “apply” its mind on the subject though a reference was pending before it. But at the same time, Chacko quoted Verma as saying that the migration package was necessary for speedier role out of services and has helped in the growth of telecom sector in the country. Some members questioned Verma about the wireless in local loop (WLL) technology for basic operators. When he was asked about allegations of misuse of the WLL policy by some operators, Verma did not respond. Chacko said some instances were also pointed out to him. The committee sought Verma’s opinion on spectrum audit and the former TRAI boss said it was necessary for optimal utilisation of services and the regulator was capable of doing it. In reply to a question, Chacko said former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee would be asked to appear before the committee on certain legal opinions given by him on telecom policy. “He is an important witness for us…we have copies of his opinions on the issue,” he said. He also said to meet the deadline of submitting the report by the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the committee could meet on a daily basis during the session. “We hope to finish the proceedings but if we have to we may seek a small extension,” he said. PTI