RS: We are saying that you are responsible for the biggest scam of India. In may 2011, The TIME magazine published a list of powerful people who misused their position and you were at number 2 in that list. The number of Col Gadaafi and that infamous PM of Italy came after you.
A Raja: It's unfortunate for this country. Whatever media wants to put up as the biggest corruption or monumental scam, it's largely believed on the basis of assumptions and not by the record. I'm not accusing any television channel or any media person. Whatever term they want to use, let them use it. But my sincere appeal to them is why you want to call it a scam unless and until the documents are there to prove that the assumptions are true or not. The comparison with Gaddafi is odious. Again I want to reiterate what I said at the outset. I did a revolution in the telecom sector. It is not unknown to the history that a person who did revolution is often termed as a criminal or a person who did a scam.
RS: I'll give you the basis of these allegations. CAG has accused you of giving away telecom licenses at cheap rates that caused a loss of Rs 1,76000 crores to the exchequer.
A Raja: The biggest constitutional crisis in the country is not addressed by any person including the highest court in the country. CAG is entitled to give a report under Article 149. Before that I must say certain provisions in the constitution are made after borrowing from English that is based on the premise that the King can do no wrong. Unfortunately, if King does a wrong, there is no solution in the constitution. CAG is a constitutional authority and its report is meant only for discussion in parliament. The report says very clearly had it been done other way…let me explain it…2G is something different…3G is something different. 2 G is only meant for voice. In other countries, there is no charge for 2G call rates and I also wanted to do the same after assuming the charge. Spectrum from 2G is different. 3G spectrum is different that carries both data and video. My decision was in accordance with the decision taken by the cabinet. It was as per the decision approved by the parliament and TRAI.
RS: If your decisions were right why did SC cancel all licenses?
A Raja: I will ask another question. Why the President of India gave a reference to the SC that the SC judgment was not in accordance with the policy. What more do you want? So the cancellation of licenses is not in accordance with the policies, according to the president.
