New Delhi:
The government today rejected Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's allegations against Home Minister P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis equity issue saying they were "totally baseless".
Here is the full text of the Government's statement:
Allegations have been made that the proposal of M/s Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, Mauritius (a wholly owned subsidiary of M/s Maxis Communications Berhad) to acquire 73.99 per cent equity in M/s Aircel Ltd was delayed by the then Finance Minister in order to benefit certain persons.
The allegations are totally baseless.
The records of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) have been perused. They reveal the following:
On 6.1.2006, the applicant, M/s Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd acquired 26 per cent equity in M/s Aircel Ltd through the automatic route.
On 30.1.2006, the applicant applied for enhancing its equity in M/s Aircel Ltd from 26 per cent to 73.99 per cent.
The application was processed in the normal course and the Ministries and Departments concerned took the normal time of 4 to 6 weeks to offer their comments. The proposal was included in the agenda notes circulated on17.2.2006.
On 7.3.2006, the matter was placed before the meeting of the FIPB. The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) conveyed its support to the proposal at the meeting. FIPB recommended the proposal for approval on7.3.2006 and file was moved by Deputy Secretary on 10.3.2006.
The minutes of the FIPB meeting were placed before the then Finance Minister on 13.3.2006and he approved the same.
The formal letter of approval was issued by the Ministry of Finance on 20.3.2006.
From the facts stated above, it will be abundantly clear that there was no delay whatsoever. It is unfortunate that baseless allegations should be made without verifying the facts.