CPI(M) demands CBI probe against Chidambaram

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the role of Union Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G Spectrum allocation case.

Referring to a note submitted by the Finance Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Office in March 2011, the party polit Bureau said shows authoritatively that the then Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, cleared the allotment of licenses for 2G spectrum at the 2001 entry fee, even though the Finance Secretary and his own Ministry had pointed out the need for revision of the fee.

The Finance Ministry note makes the pertinent observation that if the Finance Ministry had stuck to its earlier stand, the licenses given could have been cancelled.

"Evidence has also come to light that a meeting between the then Telecom Minister A. Raja and P. Chidambaram had taken place in January 2008 in which, according to the note prepared by the Finance Secretary, the Finance Minister had stated that they are not going to re-visit the issue of entry fee or revenue sharing,” the statement said.

It said “in the light of all this mounting evidence” there should be a CBI investigation into the role of Mr. Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum case.