In view of varying estimates on the quantum of loss to the government in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to ascertain the exact loss between 2001 and 2008. The estimates have varied between Rs.35,000 crore and Rs.1.76-lakh crore.
Well-placed sources in the CBI said on Wednesday that a reminder was sent to TRAI as there was no word from the regulator ever since the investigating agency first made its request in January this year.
The CBI had estimated, in its First Information Report in 2009 in the 2G spectrum scam case, that the government may have lost over Rs.22,000 crore due to irregularities in the allocation of spectrum in January 2008 by the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, who was arrested in February this year on charges of favouring some private firms.
Later, the CBI estimated the loss at around Rs.35,000 crore. The loss was less than the figures given by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) which had pegged it at Rs.1.76-lakh crore.
Plea for expert team
The CBI had requested TRAI to set up an expert team to go into the gamut of spectrum pricing and give an estimated loss which could be proved in court. However, the agency has not yet heard from TRAI. The CBI has to submit the progress report in the 2G scam probe to the Supreme Court on July 6.
