However, the exact estimate can be worked out after the reconciliation of dues, resulting in some waivers, they added.
NEW DELHI: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which has been under fire for not auctioning 2G (second generation) telecom spectrum and causing losses to the Central Exchequer, is now targeting other avenues to make up for the losses.
For instance, it is aiming to get anything between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 1,500 crore as spectrum-usage dues from government departments and police organisations, according to reliable sources.
However, the exact estimate can be worked out after the reconciliation of dues, resulting in some waivers, they added.
In a letter to all government departments and police organisations, the wireless spectrum wing of the DoT, or Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing, has set a deadline of November 30, 2008, for reconciling all the spectrum dues from government departments and police organisations. These are dues with effect from June 2004.
When contacted, the Deputy Wireless Advisor, RB Prasad, who issued the letter on Tuesday, refused to divulge the estimated dues and any details on it.
Although the reconciliation of spectrum dues with the WPC Wing was scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2006, it hasn’t been done till now. “You are requested to reconcile all the spectrum dues, immediately, latest by November 30, 2008,” Prasad’s letter has said.
The communications ministry has warned the defaulting departments and organisations that the “existing frequency assignments may be withdrawn after March 31, 2009, in case of non-payment of dues.” Also, requests for any fresh assignment of frequencies or issue of licences would not be considered until charges are paid in full.
The spectrum usage charge was imposed on government departments in June 2004.
Recently, the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body at DoT, recommended increase in annual spectrum charges to be paid to the government.
Communications minister A Raja has been under attack for issuing 2G licences to several new players at a small entry fee without a process of auction, and allowing them to make huge profits through sale of stake soon after the purchase. The Left parties called it a telecom scam worth Rs 50,000 crore as that was the approximate loss caused to the Central Exchequer for giving out licences and spectrum without conducting an auction.
The DoT is also planning to impose a one-time charge on telcos having spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz. It is from this norm that the government expects to garner around Rs 15,000 crore.
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