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Rediff.com  » Business » I did no wrong, am ready for probe: Raja
This article was first published 14 years ago

I did no wrong, am ready for probe: Raja

Last updated on: November 16, 2010 17:13 IST

Image: Former telecom minister A Raja.
Photographs: Reuters

Striking a defiant note despite his indictment by the CAG over the 2G spectrum allocation, former Telecom Minister A Raja on Tuesday said he has not done anything wrong and was ready for a probe.

"I want to reiterate that I went as per the telecom policy of 1999, as per recommendations of Telecom and Regulatory Authority of India and vision contemplated by the government. If there have been any procedural lapses. Let it be investigated. No problem at all," Raja told reporters here two days after he unceremoniously put in his papers.

On a day the Comptroller and Auditor General's report was tabled in Parliament, he said, "Let the law take its own course.

. . . 

I did no wrong, am ready for probe: Raja

Image: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo M Karunanidhi.
Photographs: Reuters

"I have already put forth my defence before Supreme Court. My conscience is clear. The stand of the government has been ventilated through the affidavit before the court. I cannot be separated from the government as long as I was in power. I can have no separate comment."

"What do you mean by guilt?" he retorted to a question from a reporter.

After a series of meetings with his DMK party president M Karunanidhi, Raja met the prime minister at his residence two days ago and tendered his resignation.

. . . 

I did no wrong, am ready for probe: Raja

Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Photographs: Reuters

Indicting A Raja, the CAG on Tuesday said 2G spectrum allocation had caused revenue loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore (Rs 1,760 billion) as the then telecom minister had ignored the advice of the prime minister besides those of ministries of law and finance, giving 'undue' benefits to new players that included Anil Ambani-led RCom.

The 77-page report of the CAG tabled in Parliament said due diligence was not followed and even the recommendations of the telecom regulator TRAI were 'not followed in spirit'.

Raja has been the Opposition's primary target since many days and even though he resigned, the BJP has been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe and has been stalling proceedings in both Houses during the ongoing winter session.

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