Charges on 2G spectrum baseless: Raja

Terming the charges with regard to allocation of spectrum in 2008 against him as baseless, Telecom Minister A Raja on Monday said the allegations in no way have affected the day-to-day work.

"These baseless allegations do not affect developmental works being carried out by me either in the Ministry or in the constituency," Raja, representing the Nilgiris seat in the Lok Sabha, told reporters here.

Raja has been under attack for distributing new telecom licences bundled with 4.4 MHz of spectrum in early 2008 at Rs 16.58 billion (Rs 1,658 crore), the price discovered in 2001, and the opposition parties have been seeking his dismissal from the Cabinet.

The spectrum controversy rocked Parliament during the recent session with opposition parties, including the BJP and the AIADMK, demanding the sacking of Raja alleging that he had caused a loss of Rs 1 trillion to the government while allocating 2G spectrum or radiowaves.

The opposition parties pressed for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the alleged scam. Strongly backing Raja, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi had said opposition parties were levelling "malicious charges" just because he is a Dalit.

On the ongoing auction for 3G spectrum licences, the Minister said the final figure would be known after a couple of days. In the town to visit the sick Hindustan Photo Films, Raja said he as the local MP had recommended to Union Heavy Industries ministry to provide a package of Rs 3.02 billion (Rs 302 crore) for the revival of the public sector unit.

This included Rs 2 billion (Rs 200 crore) for clearing debts, Rs 200 million (Rs 20 crore) for salary arrears, Rs 90 million (Rs 9 crore) for preliminary working capital and Rs 430  million (Rs 43 crore) for updating technology, he said.

Raja said he expected that the Heavy Industries Ministry would take steps for early revival of HPF.