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Government, EC head for clash on telecom policy

In the morning, the commission in a press note regretted that the government had not furnished full details and said changes in policy at this juncture might vitiate the "level playing field in the electoral arena".

But in a statement released late in the evening, the government said it was 'surprised and concerned' at the Election Commission's statement which tended to create an impression that the government was not inclined to assist it.

It said that after the commission had requested a factual report on July 27, a reply was sent the very next day giving details of the constitution of the Group on Telecommunications on November 20, 1998, its terms of reference, the approval of the New Telecom Policy 1999 by the Cabinet on March 26, the Cabinet's direction to obtain the attorney general's advice on the issue of migration of existing licensees to the NTP-99 regime, the Cabinet's approval on July 6 of the migration package as recommended by the attorney general and the operationalisation of various aspects of the package.

The Election Commission was further informed about the urgency of the matter and the possibility that in the absence of the revenue-sharing arrangement, most companies would not be able to secure financial closure, leading to large-scale bankruptcy and failures, a significant increase in the non-performing assets of financial ,institutions, and dislocation of services resulting in serious inconvenience to consumers.

The commission's statement had expressed deep concern over the implications of such changes when the country was in election mode.

''It is clear that the matter involves major policy issues and has obviously led to various inter-ministerial consultations and Cabinet-level discussions. The commission is surprised and has noted with regret that the government has sent a response which does not give the full picture of the case. Vital questions have been left unaddressed. The material provided does not assist the Commission adequately,'' it said.

Refusing to comment further, the commission expressed the hope that all aspects of the case would be taken into account by the Delhi high court. "Not only the matter relating to the financial aspects of the case will be looked into, but the urgency of the matters, in the context of imminent general election in the country, will be fully gone into," it said.

UNI

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