SC extends deadline for 2G spectrum auction to 31 August
24 Apr 2012
The Supreme Court today extended the deadline for the fresh auction of second-generation spectrum from 2 June 2012 till 31 August 2012, even as the apex court rejected the government's appeal seeking 400 days to conduct fresh 2G auctions.
While issuing the order, a bench comprising Justices G S Singvhi and K S Radhakrishnan also allowed all operators with cancelled licences to operate till 7 September 2012.
The court had, on 2 February this year, ordered cancellation of all 122 spectrum licences granted to eight operators in a scam-tainted 2008 sale during the A Raja regime. It had also asked the government to re-auction radio spectrum through an open bidding process.
While pleading for a minimum 400 days for the government to conduct fresh auction of spectrum, Attorney General G E Vahanvati told the SC that the time allowed by the SC was very short.
Vahanvati also said that since the regulator had come out with its recommendations on 2G spectrum prices only yesterday, its recommendations will have an impact on the auction process.
Centre had argued through that the government needed 400 days to conduct fresh auctions and that the time given by the apex court was too short.
