2G is short for second-generation wireless telephone technology.

Three primary benefits: phone conversations-digital more efficient mobile starting with SMS text messages Launched in finland in 1991 2G has been replaced by 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, and 4G; however, 2G networks are still used in many parts of the world.

What is 2G:

Iphone with 2G technology

What is the 2G Scam?

2G means: Second-Generation Wireless Telephone Technology The 2G spectrum scan involved officials and ministers in the Government of India illegally undercharging mobile telephone companies for frequency allocation licenses, which they would use to create 2G subscriptions for cell phones. According to CAG reports, the scam has cost the government

Rs.1.76 lakh crore

Which Politicians were involved?

A. Raja, the Ex-Minister of Communications and Information Technology who was the minister when the controversial second round of spectrum allocations took place. Arun Shourie, the minister for Telecom during 2003 in the previous BJP regime. Pramod Mahajan, the minister for Telecom between 1999 and 2003.

Bureaucrats involved
Siddhartha Behura, former telecom secretary who served in the DOT at the time of the 2G allocation. Pradip Baijal, a bureaucrat who is alleged to have implemented policies that favored certain Telecom companies when he was heading the TRAI. R K Chandolia, private secretary of Raja during UPA-I when the licences were awarded. He was an Indian Economic Service officer of the 1984 batch cadre.

1.Allianz Infra 2.Aircel 3. VodafoneEssar 4.Loop Mobile 5. Virgin Mobile India 6. Tata Tele Services 7. Swan Telecom

Companies involved:

Companies of Reliance ADAG in 2G scam:

-Reliance Communications -Powersurfer Interactive -Reliance Energy Management Services -Giraffe Consultancy -Sonata Investments -Tiger Trustees

Who is A. Raja?
In 2007, A. Raja became the cabinet minister for communication and information technology. He was primarily responsible for the sale of 2G frequency allocation licenses in 2008 and is believed to have sold these at extremely low prices. The charges filed against A. Raja are: Selling 2G frequency licenses at prices lower than market price Not following procedure for the sale of frequency allocation licenses

MEDIA AND 2G SCAM

Niraradia tapes controversy. Vir sanghvi, a Hindustan times editor alleged to have edited articles to reduce blame in Nararadia tapes. Media turned into slaughterhouse in 2g scam : Raja In the 2G Spectrum Scam Case, instead of providing valuable insights, the media is trying to become the Judiciary. Barkhadutt, a journalist was also involved in lobbying of ministers

 Highlight on few names by media.

Big names & corporate bodies left untouched.

1.AnilAmbani - Reliance Group (ADAG) 2.Ratan Tata 3.ShahidBalwa - Swan Telecom (now Etisalat DB) 4.VinodGoenka - Swan Telecom (now Etisalat DB) 5.VenugopalDhoot - Videocon Group 6.PrashantRuia - Essar Group 7.Sanjay Chandra- Managing Director of Unitech Ltd and Unitech Wireless

Governments Response:

How it responded: It is relying on arguments which indicate that the government is trying to sweep this serious crime under the carpet. Giving a spin to the 2G scam and trying to confuse the media, people and take the focus away from the actual issue. Response expected: Its priority must be to identify and punish the wrong doers and recover the money lost due to cheap sale of spectrum. The simple stand should be if you do anything against the laws of India, you have to pay for it. In China, such companies would have been kicked out. Tax payers can't be held responsible for bad investment decisions of the corporate world.

Ways to clean up such a mess in the future:

Modern scams are victimless in that the victims are not obvious. The victims of these crimes are the taxpayers and citizens of the country to whom this money and assets belong. Permanent solution to stop such scams: PREVENTION DETERRANCE ALERT CITIZEN AND CONSCIENTIOUS MEDIA

This includes a 5 point plant: Increase disclosure requirements by the government Improve the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight on government and executive Creating fast track prosecution for white collar crimes. complete overhaul and changes in our criminal justice system Media has played an important role in curving a public opinion, and that is why the nation as a whole is angry and engaged on this issue.

PREVENTION METHODS:

Mandatory disclosures by the government and its agencies for all contracts involving taxpayer money and/or assets. Ensure that government policy is always about the public Ensure government policies are not always bombastic rhetoric and full of loopholes for exploitation. Create a new framework of independent regulators, backed by parliamentary statutes that oversee most of these sectors. Both media general public must create awareness that the government is a trustee of public money and assets and the people are the real owners.

5 point plan:
Increase disclosure- all contracts, PPPs and concessions involving public money or assets by government. Media helping by public opinion and getting to know nations anger on this issue. white collar crimes. Improve the effectiveness of parliamentary. Changes in our criminal justice system by dealing with sophisticated financial crimes of the day.

CURRENT SITUATION OF 2G SCAM

2G spectrum note: Chidambaram calls PM. Raja has been vindicated, says DMK after 2G spectrum note. Finance ministry blames Chidambaram in 2G mess HC rejects Behura's bail plea. 2Gscam: Prashant Bhushan wants CBI to net big fish in 2G scam

How is the government trying to push the 2G scam under the carpet?
Government is not serious about recovering the money lost and punishing the guilty. Instead, government is trying to sweep this serious crime under the carpet. Investors will be upset is to say that a criminal will be upset for being put behind bars for a crime. Mobile number portability migration will be borne by the licensee.

Where did the money go?:

Swan telecom(to etilsalat): Share sold: 45% = Rs4200 crore License bought: Rs.1537 crore Tata telecom services: 26%: shares sold Rs.13230 crores

Unitech wireless: Shares sold: 60% Lisence bought: Rs.1661 crores

Prevention of the 2G Scam:

Legal and advisory help
Deal with and enable rapid prosecution of white collar crimes and scams Requirement of prior sanction from the government .

Make such oversights transparent and available to media and citizens.

Conclusion:
No scams ever seem to be properly investigated and concluded.

The tendency of smooth talking ministers and politicians to talk and spin their way out of this can only be challenged by media.
We owe it to the people of India to ensure that these scams are not brushed under the carpet.

Acknowledgements:
Name: 1.Deepali Gaba 2.Jigar Jain 3.Preksha Shah 4.Kaushik Jain 5.Divya Sanghvi 6.Faizaan Azani Roll No. 13 24 49 25

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT : We would like to express our gratitude to Prof.Payal for giving us this topic for our project as it gave us the opportunity to go beyond the books and look the scams from a whole different perspective with greater depth helped us acquire the additional knowledge with different aspects and a practical point of view. We are very thankful to her as it will help us further in this semester.

Bibliography:
1.www.ndtv.com 2.www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com.. 3.The next page of draw describing all details.

Thankyou