Govt. to approach SC for extension of spectrum auction deadline

New Delhi, Aug 7 (ANI): The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Telecom headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on Tuesday, decided to move the Supreme Court to seek the extension of the August 31 deadline to complete the auction of 2G airwaves.

Interacting with media, after the EGoM meet, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibbal said the government would file an interim application before the court and request it to consider the facts as stated in the application.

The EGoM, headed by P Chidambaram, discussed the schedule which DoT has prepared in consultation with TIL.

Earlier, the Cabinet had fixed Rs.14,000 crore for 5 Mhz spectrum in 1800 Mhz band and Rs.18,200 crore for 5 Mhz spectrum in 800 Mhz band as floor price.

After cancelling 122 telecom licences in February, the Supreme Court had asked the government to complete the 2G spectrum auction by August 31 and extended the validity of quashed licences till September 7.

The spectrum auction is crucial for companies such as Sistema Shyam, Uninor and Videocon for being able to continue the operations. (ANI)