I will go by records maintained by Department of Telecom, says Justice Patil

NEW DELHI - Justice Shivraj V Patil, who is heading the panel set up to investigate the spectrum allocation processes and policies between 2001 and 2009, said today that he’ll go by records maintained by Department of Telecom (DoT).

“I am not supposed to make any investigation. I shall go by the records maintained by the Department of Telecom (DoT) and if required I can seek support of any official to examine the procedures and policies framed, their appropriateness and whether these were implemented appropriately,” said Patil.

Patil further said no former ministers will be questioned and the committee will only study appropriateness of procedure related to allocation of 2G spectrum licences.

“No, I cannot call ex-ministers, and as far as officials are concerned I can seek information from them and it would also identify officials were responsible for lapses, if any,” he said.

“My mandate is limited to examining the internal procedures adopted by DoT during the period 2001-2009 for issue of telecom access service licences and allocation of spectrum to them during this period,” he added.

According to Justice Patil the panel will try to complete the inquiry in four weeks and give its report to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal.

Patil said he would see if there were differences in the procedures and put them in the report and it would be up to the Minister to consider and take appropriate action.

He said the panel would not touch the matters being examined by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The panel would recommend what steps need to be taken to make sure that procedures were followed appropriately in the future.

Sibal has been given charge of the department following resignation of former Telecom Minister A. Raja.

The 2G spectrum allocation has reportedly caused an alleged loss of Rs1.76 lakh crores to the Government, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has stated in a report. (ANI)