Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal assures action against erring telecom firms

NEW DELHI - Telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Monday said notices will be served and a thorough probe will be conducted on all firms for suppressing facts and also for missing roll-out obligations as per the terms and conditions of licence.

Interacting with mediapersons in his first official press conference as Telecom Minister, Sibal said: “It is time we issued notices to these companies. There are in all 85 such cases.”

“These are matters of controversies. We are referring the matter to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to see whether there were any front companies involved. So, we will take action accordingly,” he added.

He also assured a probe to see if the firms had manipulated the self-certification process about their financial strength and their main business as specified in their memorandum of association to get licences for telephone services.

“On the basis of self-certification, companies may have jumped the queue, they may have got licenses on first-cum-first-served basis. Those who may have come late could have complied with the eligibility conditions, but could not get licences,” said Sibal.

“We will study each case separately. We will, in the next few weeks, issue show cause notices on why their licences should not be cancelled. Companies will be given 60 days to respond,” Sibal added.

Referring to Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the alleged telecom scam, Sibal said the Government had no problem with discussions in Parliament.

“I would love a debate on this in Parliament. But my confidence is diminishing as the days go by,” he said.

Earlier in the day, both Houses of Parliament were repeatedly adjourned till Tuesday, as the sessions were taken over by sloganeering and loud protests by opposition members

As soon as the Lok Sabha met, members of BJP, SP, AIADMK and other opposition parties rushed to the well of the house demanding a JPC probe into the scam.

As the day continued, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes. Opposition members rushed to the well of the house, demanding a JPC probe.

As the uproar persisted, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till Tuesday.

Ruling members were also seen carrying placards on Karnataka Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa for his alleged involvement in the land allotment to his family members.

The Winter Session of Parliament began on November 9 and has witnessed repeated adjournments over the Opposition’s insistence for a JPC probe into the scam, even after A. Raja resigned as Communications and IT Minister last Sunday. (ANI)