CIC asks DoT to make public discussion between Vahanvati and Raja on 2G spectrum

The Central Information Commission has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to make public the advice given by Goolam E. Vahanvati to A. Raja, former Minister of Telecommunications and IT, on the allocation of 2G spectrum in 2007.

DoT reportedly cited a previous order and claimed that it will be able to disclose the advice given by Vahanvati.

Agreeing with the view, Sushma Singh, information commissioner directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to transfer the application to DoT and also directed the latter to make the advice public, once the application is received by it.

Prior to this, Raja had allegedly cited his discussion with Vahanvati to explain why he proceeded with the process of allocating spectrum, even though the Prime Minister had asked him to wait.

In December 2007, Raja had written to the Prime Minister stating that he had already consulted with Pranab Mukherjee, former Minister of External Affairs and Vahanvati and both had advised him to proceed with the allocation of 2G spectrum.