Former Telecom Minister Raja defends himself over 2G spectrum scam

NEW DELHI - Former Telecom Minister A. Raja on Tuesday defended himself against the charges laid down by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, which holds him responsible on many fronts for violating guidelines, indulging in favouritism and costing the government Rs. 1.76 lakh crores by mishandling the allocation of 2G spectrum in 2008.

“That has to be decided by the government. I am not the competent person to say. What I am saying is the stand of the government has been vindicated through the affidavit that has been filed before the court. I cannot be separated from the government as long as I was in the power. I can have no separate comment upon it,” said Raja.

“I want to reiterate, I did everything according to the NTP 99, TRAI (Telecom and Regulatory Authority of India) recommendations and according to the vision that had been contemplated. There is no problem at all but the thing is what has been done in accordance to the National Telecom Policy 99,” he added.

Earlier today, an all party meeting that was held here over opposition’s demand for a JPC probe into the allocation of 2G spectrum failed to end the stalemate.

Union Finance Minister and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee convened over the meeting, which was held to find some way to allow the House to proceed with its business convened the meeting held over lunch.

Raja was forced to resign on Sunday night under considerable pressure from the Congress, which has been attacked in Parliament by a united Opposition for corruption. (ANI)