Cong asks EC to shelf telecom package

Mukherjee wrote: 8220;The High Court has opined that the EC is free to take any decision relating to the package including a decision to keep the entire package in abeyance till the constitution of the 13th Lok Sabha. The Congress feels that, in light of the controversy raised and the many questions that remain unanswered, as well as allegations of corruption, the EC should keep the implementation of the new telecom policy in abeyance.

8220;Any steps taken in the interim by the government and the private operators would result inconsequences that might be irreversible in nature and therefore, be an impediment in the way of a duly constituted government in October to take a firm decision in this regard.

8220;Apart from this, it is our belief that political parties should have a level playing field in the run up to the elections, especially after the announcement of the schedule for elections. If the impugned policy is allowed to be acted upon in interim, as far as the election process is concerned, the mischief would have been done and even though these interim measures may be subject to the new government8217;s decision, the model code of conduct in operation now would have been violated.

8220;The Congress, therefore, requests the EC to impose a prohibition on the government as well as the private operators from acting on the letters of offer, to shift from the licence regime to the revenue sharing regime, and maintain status quo ante till a duly constituted government is in place,8221; Mukherjee said.

While this was the stand on thetelecom policy, the Congress also said the country was unsafe under the current government. It said the government had failed to clear Kashmir of all the intruders who were still occupying some sectors, like points 5353 and 5060 in Mushkoh Valley and point 5468 in Batalik.

8220;Even though the unofficial war was over as far as the government is concerned on July 18, such events are still taking place like tha attacks on Indian forces. The Government should tell us the actual position and the real state of affairs. Pakistan must be declared a terrorist country and the ISI must be declared a terrorist outfit,8221; party spokesperson Kapil Sibal said.