Why was the first come, first serve policy followed while allocating spectrum: PAC to DoT

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, has sent a questionnaire related to the 2G spectrum allocation issue and other developments in the sector to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), say news reports.

The questions highlight several gaps in policy implementation from 2003 onwards. Also, the issues raised include sidetracking the views and concerns of the finance ministry by A. Raja, former Minister of Telecommunications and IT and the first-come, first-serve policy.

PAC has asked the DoT why spectrum allocation was not delinked from the licence, keeping in mind that spectrum was scarce, vis-a-vis the demand.

PAC has also asked the DoT about the decision to exclude the Ministry of Finance from the discussions for efficient allocation of spectrum and price fixation.

Also, on the issue of the numerous licence applications, the PAC has enquired whether DoT consulted the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in light of its recommendation to not limit the number of operators in a circle.