Public sector firms also benefited: CBI

The CBI probe into the allocation of additional spectrum during the tenure of former communications minister Pramod Mahajan has revealed that the decision had also benefited two public sector telecom companies. According to sources, probe by the agency has established that two government companies were also the incidental beneficiaries in getting additional spectrum (beyond 6.2 MHz and up to 10 MHz). “By charging one per cent additional Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), two public sector telecom companies were also allocated additional spectrum,” sources said. Sources, however, made it clear that both public sector telecom companies were incidental beneficiaries. “There was no criminal conspiracy in allocation of additional spectrum to them at all. They were allocated additional spectrum because other private telecom companies were also allocated spectrum,” sources said. The CBI had filed FIR against two former officials of the DoT and three private cellular companies on November 17, 2011 in connection with its probe related to irregularities committed in award of spectrum during Pramod Mahajan’s tenure.