Indian minister of human resource development (HRD) Kapil Sibal has also been appointed as telecom and information technology minister following the resignation of A. Raja, according to local reports.
It is not yet known whether this appointment is a…
Indian minister of human resource development (HRD) Kapil Sibal has also been appointed as telecom and information technology minister following the resignation of A. Raja, according to local reports.
It is not yet known whether this appointment is a stop gap solution or a longer-term nomination.
Yesterday, Raja resigned after months of controversy surrounding the allocation of underpriced 2G spectrum in 2008.
In 2009, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out a probe into corruption allegations around the allocation of 2G radio spectrum licences, acting on the orders of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Raja is among several officials at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) alleged to have been involved in the scam.
Earlier this month, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the government’s auditor, issued a report saying that the 2G spectrum allocation had caused a Rs1.76 trillion (US$40bn) loss to the government, after licences were sold to mobile operators based on a price determined in 2001.
These revelations prompted the opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, to call for Raja’s resignation and to halt parliament last week.