Amid a spate of requests to the Prime Minister to step in and set things right in the telecom sector, Communications Minister A Raja has said all his decisions regarding the sector were aimed at lowering tariffs and encouraging growth."I am equally concerned about the image of India across the globe and assure you that all the decisions taken by me will be guided by the larger interest of the public, competition and growth of telecom sector," Raja said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while sharing the concern expressed by cabinet colleague Kamal Nath about the sector.Nath had suggested to the Prime Minister that a Group of Ministers (GoM) be set up to sort out issues like spectrum allocation norms. Raja, however, feels it is not necessary."Since the Department has decided to continue with the existing policy (first-cum-first-served) for processing of applications, the suggestion of Kamal Nath for setting up GoM is out of context," the Communications Minister has said.Raja's letter comes at a time when the country's booming telecom industry comprising GSM and CDMA operators is divided in the middle over norms for allocating spectrum to telecom companies and use of dual technology for mobile services.Earlier Reliance ADAG chairman Anil Ambani had sought the Prime Minister's intervention to see that extra frequency lying with GSM operators is returned."I do share concern of my colleague (Nath) regarding international investment in the telecom sector. However, I would like to bring to your kind notice that increasing competition will give further boost to the investment in the telecom sector.
