The Comptroller and Audit General of India has questioned DoT’s decision in 2007 over advancing the cut-off date for consideration of grant of new 2G licences to applicants, reports PTI.

The Delhi HC has already termed the decision as irrational.

The controversy in the issue is over DoT advancing the cut-off date for considering applications for new 2G licences from October 1, 2007 to September 25, 2007.

"The decision of change of cut-off date of application retrospectively for issue of LoI to 25.09.07 in place of 1.10.07 is not only a violation of TRAI''s recommendations, duly accepted by the government, and instructions of the Prime Minister to ensuring fairness and transparency, but also unfair to the applicants who had applied between September 26, 2007 and October 1, 2007 as they were deprived of their right to be part of the initial process."

"Out of 575 applications received for issue of new unified service access licences, 343 applications are still pending for issue of licence due to non-availability of spectrum," added CAG.

The CAG estimated the loss to the government at over Rs 26,685 crore over advancing the cut-off date.

The DoT has already presented its side of justification to the CAG.