It is quite some time now since the first biggest so called “Scam” of the ruling UPA government was brought to light by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India. The estimate of loss to the Government ranged from Rs 4,000 crores to Rs 2,00,000 crores as read in the most reputed newspapers and as broadcasted by the high TRP news channels. Isn’t it strange to unearth such a huge discrepancy after so many years of spectrum allocation. Anyways, I assume that our learned professionals must have thought many times before declaring a war against the Common man’s interest of this Country. Yes, this is a war where on one side, there are Political Parties and on the other hand, the vast populace of this Country, which is seen to be a cash cow.
Everyone seems to forget one fact that Spectrum is a national resource, the so called scam of allocation that originated 5 years back in 2007 when the growth story of India had begun during 2005-06. If there was a real loss to the government, then how can government achieve such excellent growth rates after being fooled in waves distribution from 2005 till 2010. It is just a Mark to Market calculation in excel file. The actual loss if any should be worked out based on unjust enrichment to the parties.
Another thing which is important is that the final losers with the revised policy allocation is no one but we the people. If the Government is successful in getting high fees for the airwaves from the Corporates, the same will be passed on to us as we are the final consumers.
I somehow fail to understand the Policy of the Government with respect to allocation of natural resources when the end consumption in the value chain is within India. For instance, Spectrum is utilized by Indian Consumers and hence the cost of procurement of such Spectrum by Corporate is thus a pass through to our pockets.
Why not we follow a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model wherein the Spectrum is given at a low price and as part of the contract, the tariff are also fixed by the Government so that the Corporate does not benefit or take any arbitrage opportunity.
Other perspective is that when we have the benefit of hindsight, we can find faults in all the past deeds. But the positive outcomes of thise deeds are unseen, such as the “One Rupee” per minute revolution in the Telecommunication of India, which was the then cheapest rate of calling in the world and still continues to be.
If the Government continues with its selfish and anti common man policies, I am sure that we the same people will be paying the highest tariff for telecommunication in the world in future..
