Spectrum, coal allocation was tampered with: CVC

NEW DELHI : The allocation process of coal blocks and 2G spectrum was “tampered with” leading to ineligible people becoming beneficiaries and this has been “universally accepted”, Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary said today on the alleged scams under the UPA.
“If we look at two most controversial matters of recent times — allocation of spectrum and allocation of coal, as of today there has not been a conclusive proof of X giving money to Y. The matter is under trial… What has been universally accepted is that the process was tampered with,” he said at a function.
Later talking to PTI, Chowdary said the tampered processes led to “ineligible people getting the allocation and the more eligible people missing the opportunity”.
CBI is looking into allegations of corruption in allocation of second generation (2G) spectrum to telecom companies, besides coal block allocation.
He said it is essential that all conditions are laid down properly in the tender documents and tendering processes are transparent.
Chowdary was speaking at the ’10th public procurement summit on enhancing transparency, efficiency and accountability’, organised by industry body Assocham.
He said about 30 per cent of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is about Rs 25 lakh crore, comes out of tendering of goods and services being procured by the government.
The CVC noted that tendering processes in a few cases take one to three years which need to be cut down.
Chowdary said there was a need to apply certain checks on the issue of L-1 or a lowest bidder in any tendering process.
“By and large, it is believed that L-1 is the best. But there may be several other issues,” he said, suggesting that the authorities need to look at other aspects of this provision.
Chowdary said that the Commission is in the process of finalising a discussion paper to look into all the aspects of tendering and recommend a comprehensive guidelines. (AGENCIES)