This refers to the news story “‘Candid’ Tata says he’s a victim of telecom policy” (April 5). Since it is not officially confirmed what the questions and answers were, one has to go by what has been reported. Ratan Tata seemingly told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that neither he nor Niira Radia could “manipulate government policy”. Exactly what did the Tatas expect Radia to do for them in exchange for the nine-digit payment, if it was not to influence the course of spectrum allocation? Her firm is not known for technical, financial or managerial expertise, and the Tatas have a high-powered corporate and government relations set-up in Delhi. After this statement, the Tata company making the payment can’t get this cost deducted in its income tax filing since Radia’s company did nothing of value for them. Logic says this was a capital expenditure since the purpose was to acquire a right or asset.
If Radia could not “influence decisions about Cabinet berths”, why was Tata discussing them with her?
P Datta, Kolkata
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