EGoM to take decision on 3G auction: Raja

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) will take a final decision on the 3G spectrum auction issue, the government told the Rajya Sabha today.     

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour on the first day of the Budget Session, Telecom Minister A Raja said in view of differences between Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and Department of Telecom (DoT) on a number of issues, it was decided to refer the matter to the EGoM.     

Raja said the EGoM would be convened soon as the UPA government has just assumed charge after the elections. Once this is done, the issue would be resolved by it, he said.     

The differences between Trai and DoT were basically on number of blocks of spectrum to be auctioned, reserve price for spectrum and annual administrative charge, he said.     

"There are two issues in front of the EGoM, namely how many blocks of spectrum should be auctioned and what should be their base price," the Minister said.     

Raja, however, ruled out possibility of any foul play or "scam" in spectrum allocation.