Shivraj V. Patil Committee to Look into 2G Scam

The Ministry of Telecommunications (DoT) of the Indian government on 9 December 2010 formed a one-member committee comprising retired Supreme Court Judge, Shivraj V. Patil. The committee was formed to examine the processes and procedures followed by DoT in the grant of licences and allocation of spectrum during both the National Democratic Alliance and United Progressive Alliance regimes.

The appropriateness of the procedures adopted by the DoT in the issuance of licences and spectrum allocation during 2001-2009 will be examined and analysed.  The committee is expected to examine internal departmental procedures and determine whether the procedures adopted for allocating licences and spectrum were right, fair and reasonable. The committee is equipped with the authority to call for any record or summon officials for any clarification or questioning. With the help of the inquiry the ministry will be able to know the entire gamut of procedures adopted since 2001 in the allocation of licences and spectrum, including the controversial 122 licences granted in 2008.

CAG had already submitted a report on 2G scam. A parliamentary panel is also currently examining the scam. There has been persistant demand for a JPC probe into the scam.