Final papers for spectrum auction on August 22

The Centre which is planning to approach the Supreme Court seeking extension of August 31 deadline to complete the 2G spectrum auction, may issue the final document for auction of radio waves on August 22.

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on telecom headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram is said to have on July 12 approved the new date of August 22 for issue of Information Memorandum (IM), government sources said. Earlier it was scheduled on August 6.

As per the new schedule, auctioneers have been asked to submit bids by July 20 and which can be only after government finalises minimum spectrum price from which the auction of airwaves will start. The apex court had set August 31 deadline for complete auction of spectrum vacated from cancellation of 122 licences issued in 2008. As the government is yet to decide on fixing the base price for auction, the Department of Telecom may approach the court seeking the extension of the deadline.