New Delhi: The CBI, which hopes to complete
the probe into the 2G Spectrum case within a year, has roped
in the Comptroller and Auditor General to help ascertain the
alleged financial irregularities in distribution of new
licenses and spectra in 2008 at prices fixed in 2001.
CBI Director Ashwani Kumar said in an interview that
the case required financial expertise to arrive at a
conclusion.
"Investigation is progressing. At the moment, we have
requested the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to help
us in the financial part of it," Kumar said.
The CBI Director said that the agency expected the
investigation to be over within a year.
The CBI had registered a case on October 21, 2009
against unknown Department of Telecom officials and private
persons and companies for allegedly causing loss of thousands
of crores of rupees to the exchequer.
The Chief Vigilance Commissioner had recommended a CBI
probe into the procedures followed for selecting companies for
giving 2G spectrum.
Eyebrows were raised when two of the new players --
Unitech Wireless Services and Swan Telecom -- sold part of
their stake at a huge premium within days of getting the
licences.
In 2008, eight new players were given licences along
with bundled 4.4 MHz spectrum to start mobile services.
Asked if the agency would question some other people
including high-profile corporate lobbyist Neera Radia, who
figured in a purported telephonic conversation with a Union
Minister over 2G spectrum allocation, Kumar said, "If it is
relevant, we will look into it".
The CBI Director said the agency was carrying forward
the investigation after the CVC had completed its initial
probe into the alleged irregularities.
The CBI had earlier searched offices of Wireless
Planning Cell (WPC), the department responsible for allocating
spectra, and the office of Deputy Director General (Access
Services) of the Telecom Ministry to probe the allegations of
connivance of officials with private companies in their
allotment.
It had also conducted searches in eight cities housing
headquarters of various telecom firms in connection with its
probe into the alleged scam.
PTI
